Gujarat environmentalist gets Padma Shri

Ahmedabad has a reason to be proud of. Environment conservationist and founder-director of Centre for Environment Education (CEE) Kartikeya Sarabhai has been chosen to receive the Padma Shri award this year. He will receive the award from the President of India at a function in March- April at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

An elated Sarabhai said, "It is always nice to receive recognition". He added, "Environment and development are as important as technology and infrastructure. The education system should harp on these subjects as well. Our mission is to push people towards thinking about conservation and saving environment."

Sarabhai asserted that the award calls for more work with higher responsibility by the CEE team, including him, towards achieving the mission of conserving environment. "Our work, as a team and individually, will continue. Our aim was not this award but a safe neighbourhood and sustainable country. However, it will definitely cheer us up when we think of our achievements," he said.

Sarabhai elaborated that they intended to reach every school in India. "We have reached every district in India and achieving our ambition will be the award for our hard work. I want India to be a model country for sustainability and not imitate others. This award will accelerate our work."

Sarabhai is currently in Germany where he has been invited to talk on 'Education for Sustainable Development'.