Port Blair, Aug. 24: Alongwith the rest of the country the Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Diwas-2012 was celebrated in these Islands on 20th August and the valedictory function on 23rd August, 2012. The week long observance of Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Diwas-2012 conducted its valedictory function in the auditorium of Govt. Girls Senior Secondary School, Port Blair this morning.

The programme was started by an Akshay Urja rally participated by the children from various school, teachers and staffs of Electricity Department covering the vantage point of the town spreading message through placards, banners and slogan about importance of Renewable energy sources organized at Port Blair. The rally was flagged off by Dr. R. Devdas, Director of Education, A&N Administration.

The Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, Shri Anand Prakash was the Chief Guest on this occasion administered Akshay Urja Pledge to the students and others present on the occasion and also highlighted the importance of energy conservation and implementation of Renewable energy programme in these Islands.

An exhibition on demonstration of renewable energy devices along with the paintings done during various competitions in school, college, ITI and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Institute of Technology displayed at the auditorium of Govt. Girls Senior Secondary School, Port Blair.

The Executive Engineer, NRSE Division, Electricity Department Shri. U.K. Paul welcomed the gathering and spoke about the importance of Non-conventional energy resources and the forthcoming 5MW SPV project, Wind solar hybrid and Biomass in A&N Islands. He also enlightened the activities of the department on Akshay Urja. During the week long programme various competitions like essay writing, elocution and poster making/painting in different level on the topic of new & renewable energy sources were organized. The cash prizes of Rs. 1500/-, Rs. 1200/-, Rs. 800/- and Rs. 500/- was given for winners of first, second, third and consolation prizes respectively.

The Chief Guest, Chief Secretary, A&N Administration Shri Anand Prakash distributed the cash prizes along with certificate to the winners of the competitions. On this occasion Principal Secretary (Power) Shri. Jalaj Srivastav, Secretary (Power) Shri. V.K. Beniwal, Director (Education) Dr. R. Devdas and Superintending Engineer (Electricity) Shri. Yameen Mohd. Murtaza were also present and gave away the prizes to winners of the competition.

The function concluded with vote of thanks by Shri. S.K. Biswas, Assistant Engineer, NRSE Division, Electricity Department.