"Planet Alert" - Mega Inititaive to tackle Climate Change

"Planet Alert" - Mega Inititaive to tackle Climate Change

Press Release

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), in its Diamond Jubilee Year, adopts ‘Go Green’ motto to address issue of global concern

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), having completed 60 years of excellence announces “Planet Alert”, a mega initiative in India to spread awareness and solutions, both at individual and government policy level to tackle climate change. CA. Uttam Prakash Agarwal, President, ICAI and Mr. Rahul Bose, Alert Ambassador, Planet Alert kick-start this mega movement to raise awareness on a planet in peril.

This mega initiative will feature renowned celebrities, performers and environmental leaders who will come together to highlight the threats that India faces and the methodology that can be adopted to combat this crisis. This year long endeavour will comprise of a series of activities as film show casing, concert, green marathons, youth programs, radio campaign and corporate conferences.

According to CA. Uttam Prakash Agarwal, President of ICAI, “In the Diamond Jubilee Year, ICAI thought it fit to address issues of social concern having global impact. As a responsible accounting body, I wish to take up causes that go beyond accounting and regulatory issues. That is why this year the Institute has adopted a “Go Green” motto and is pleased to present Planet Alert, India’s biggest initiative to combat one of the biggest challenges of our time- climate change. Chartered Accountants are playing an increasing role in the accounting, compliance and reporting requirements of Corporate Social Responsibility. The endeavour of Planet Alert will help synergise the role of Corporate Social Responsibility between Chartered Accountants and the Industry.”

Alert Ambassador of Planet Alert, Rahul Bose says, “When I was offered the role of the ambassador for Planet Alert I readily agreed. I believe climate change is going to be the root cause of many problems that are and will increasingly affect us whether it is the availability of water, the cars we drive, the crops we grow or the village we live in. It is a problem that social activists cannot begin to make a difference unless Indians, rich or poor, realise we will lose heavily in the near future if we don’t act now. Planet Alert recognises this. It has brought industry, environmental activists, professional bodies and the youth together. It's a wonderful initiative that the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India is fronting. The time for a second Green Revolution is now.”

In a mission to create a nationwide movement, a celebrity promo film has been created to offer basic solutions on how the common man can contribute to combat this increasing problem and collectively be part of the solution. Eminent personalities such as Dr. Rajendra Kumar Pachauri, Rahul Bose, Boman Irani, Neha Dhupia, Vinay Pathak, Dia Mirza, Arbaaz Khan, Purab Kohli among others have pledged their support and contributed to this film. The film is based on the theme of reverse psychology and produced by First and Ten Productions, headed by eminent Bollywood director Rajeev Virani. Edits of the film will be showcased on OOH Media and BigAdda.com shortly. Suneeta Rao has also released the Planet Alert Theme Song ‘Vaada Karo’ which will be featured in several modules of the campaign.

Radiothon, June 5th, 2009 (World Environment Day)

On June 5th, 2009 (World Environment Day), the first module of the Planet Alert called the Radiothon is being launched. The Planet Alert Radiothon is an 18 hour awareness drive across 45 cities in India hosted by BIG Radio to spread awareness on climate related issues in India such as melting of Himalayan glaciers, threat to coastal areas, destruction of crops, changes in precipitation patterns and rise of new fatal diseases.

The Radiothon is going to be the first of its kind 18 hour Radio initiative to spread awareness on the rising danger of climate change. BIG Radio has organized a series of contests, quizzes, games, celebrity bytes and activation drives to make people more environmentally conscious. Furthermore, the entire campaign would be paperless, RJ’s would also cycle to work and we will be distributing eco-friendly gifts to potential winners to encourage alternative and sustainable living.

Prominent celebrities such as Sushmita Sen, Dino Morea, Minisha Lamba among others have contributed to the Radiothon by offering day-to-day solutions to listeners to combat climate change.

About ICAI

The Institute of Chartered Accountant of India (ICAI), is a statutory body set up in 1949, under an Act of Parliament, for regulation of the profession of Chartered Accountancy in the country. It is the second largest accounting body in the world. It has its headquarters in New Delhi and operates through five regional offices and 118 branches all across the country and 21 overseas Chapters. The Institute is managed by a Council of elected representatives and those nominated by the Government. The Institute has over 150,500 members and 4,50,000 students in the country.