Solar Energy for Bachchans' "Unforgettable Tour"

The media greeted announcement of Bachchans' “Unforgettable Tour” with front-page photographs of Bachchans holding solar lanterns. It not only symbolized the solar energy the Bachchans and the troupe will have to make their shows unforgettable, but also showed how passionately Sr. Bachchan has been promoting initiatives to improve environment and check global warming. Adopting Green Carpet instead of the traditional Red Carpet at IIFA inaugurations, as its ambassador, was a unique and very effective way to demonstrate the importance of working to offset environmental impacts. Having solar lanterns in hand is yet another way to attract public attention to this energy resource that is practically limitless with minimal impact on environment. Assured low cost energy is the key for improving the quality of life and for economic growth and prosperity of nations. With the spiraling growth in global demand for energy, driven by ever rising economic activity and growing population, more of coal, petrol and gas are being extracted and burnt, dumping billions of tones of Green House Gases into the atmosphere. The fast depleting fossil fuels put our future energy security in peril even while snowballing environmental impacts like global warming threaten us with more frequent and more devastating natural disasters. Both as individual users and as responsible members of society we need to address the twin challenges that can no longer brook delay. Under these circumstances, clean and sustainable energy technologies like solar offer the best solutions. Amitabh Bachchan's initiative to promote the adoption and wider use of this energy resource must be applauded.