RAIPUR,CG,INDIA: On 13th September 2024, World Ozone Day was celebrated in the premises of Kalinga University through a painting competition and a guest lecture. The event was conducted collaboratively by Green Club and the Department of Zoology, Kalinga University, Naya Raipur along with Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board (CECB), Chhattisgarh. The entire event was sponsored by CECB, Chhattisgarh and the chief guest was Dr. Anita Savant, Senior Scientific Officer, Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board. 

The main attraction of the event was the painting competition for school children where students from classes VI to X enthusiastically participated in making illustrations to depict their thoughts about causes of ozone depletion and ways to mitigate the same. 

Simultaneously painting competition of school students was held. A total of 143 participants including students and faculty members from the 09 different schools, namely -Bharatmata Senior Secondary School,Rakhi, Sector -26, Christel House School, Sector25, Naya Raipur, Govt. Higher Senior Secondary School, Palaud& Parsada, Govt. School Rakhi, Mahatma Vidyapeeth School, Palaud, Govt. Higher Secondary School, Uparwara,Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Airport Rd, near SBI ATM, Mana, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Sector 25, Rakhi  and Government Girls School, Palaud, Naya Raipur had participated in the painting competition. Additionally, students from the Department of Zoology, Kalinga University also actively participated and volunteered in the event.

After the programme, prizes were distributed and refreshments were served to the students. First prize was won by Meenakshi Sinha – Crystal House India, second prize was jointly won by Akshat Sahu – Kendriya Vidyalaya, Rakhi and Bhupesh Verma – Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Mana Camp, third prize was jointly won by Yamini Sahu – Higher Secondary School, Uparwara and Bhumika Hirwani – Girls Higher Secondary School, Palaud, and fourth consolation prize was won by Mouli Dewangan – Bharatmata Public School, Naya Raipur, Ankita Karwar – Government Middle School, Rakhi, Sakhi Sen – Mahatma Vidyapeeth School, Palaud and Khushi Sahu – Girls Higher Secondary School, Palaud.

After the painting competition there was awareness lecture by Dr. Anita Savant. She spoke about the main causes of ozone depletion and the current state of our ozone layer. She encouraged students to actively practice the measures of environment conservation in their daily lives too. The coordinators for the event were Dr. Manoj Singh (Green Club Coordinator and HoD, Department of Zoology), Dr. Ajay Kumar Harit (Green Club Co-coordinator and associate professor, Department of Zoology), Dr. Sohini Bhattacharyya and Ms. Lipsa Dash (Assistant professor, Department of Zoology).

The event ended up with a vote of thanks by Dr. Manoj Singh, Green Club Coordinator and HoD, Department of Zoology.