Power Minister Piyush Goyal speaks at a function to inaugurate the National Energy Conservation Day function in New Delhi on Sunday. (Press Trust of India)
It would have been any other government award ceremony to mark December 14 as the national energy conservation day. But children brightened up the proceedings during their interaction with Power Minister Piyush Goyal on Sunday afternoon.
Mr Goyal, before giving away awards for energy efficiency, interacted with schoolchildren from across the country through video conferencing. And to his surprise, there were several probing questions from the students.
Sample these: A student from Hyderabad asked the Union Power Minister if Andhra Pradesh government can distribute free LED lamps to save power and create energy awareness, why can't the Centre follow suit?
Mr Goyal quickly made it a challenge for his officials and set a deadline of 2016 whereby all government buildings would switch to LED lighting. "I like the idea of challenge and you have forced us to think big," responded Mr Goyal.
Students from a government school in Madhya Pradesh pointed out that often public utilities like street lights waste energy as they are not turned off even during daytime. Offering a solution, the student said: "Why can't the government set up a toll free number in every city? People can call up and inform if they come across such street lights."
Impressed, the minister directed his officials that by January 31 next year, toll free helplines should be there for every city. When an official pointed out that state governments will have to be on board, Mr Goyal in a lighter vein said: "Tell the states we would stop power supply if they don't do this."
Other suggestions on energy saving included starting lessons on energy management in schools, setting up voluntary groups of energy warriors and promoting the use of energy efficient appliances by incentivising the manufacturers of such appliances.
Students from across the country - from Andamans to Agartala, Lakshwadeep islands to Itanagar, Gujarat to Kerala - took part in the nearly hour-long interaction program.
The minister was so impressed with the students that he wondered if they could be made part of an advisory body to give suggestions on conserving energy. "I must say this is far more enjoyable than giving a bhashan," said Mr Goyal as he cut short his regular speech to a few minutes at the end of the award ceremony.