Earth Day: Residents, leaders switch off lights to save planet

On Earth Day, Delhi took a united stand for the planet as citizens and political leaders responded to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s call to switch off electricity for five minutes on Tuesday.

Under the campaign titled “Dharti Ke Liye 5 Minute,” homes, offices and establishments across the city went dark from 8 pm to 8:05 pm in a symbolic gesture for environmental conservation.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta lauded Delhiites for their enthusiastic participation, calling them “alert, proactive and responsible” citizens. “This five-minute blackout is not just about saving electricity it’s a pledge to preserve our planet for the future,” she said, adding that Delhi has shown the way forward on the global Earth Day theme, “Our Power, Our Planet.”

In line with the campaign, CM Gupta announced that the Delhi Government would plant 7 million trees this year to further boost greenery and combat pollution.

“Earth Day reminds us of our duty to protect this planet, not just for ourselves but for generations to come,” she said.

Delhi BJP leaders also backed the campaign. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva, along with Union Minister of State Shri Harsh Malhotra and other party MPs, MLAs and office-bearers, turned off lights at their residences and offices.

Sachdeva emphasised the urgent need to curb the misuse of electrical appliances, saying, “Reckless consumption is harming our environment and wasting resources. Today, we pledge to stop this.”

Delhi