Rashtrapati Bhavan goes dark to join Earthhour

Rashtrapati Bhavan fell into virtual darkness today as it switched off all its non essential lights joining lakhs of people in turning off bulbs across the country as part of a campaign to save the planet.

A Rashtrapati Bhavan official said that president Pratibha Patil was keen that non only the main presidential palace but the adjacent residential quarters will also switch off the lights.

All the non-essential lights were switched off between 8.30 pm to 9.30 pm not only in the Rashtrapati Bhavan but also in the residential quarters, the official said.

However, some of the lights were kept on keeping the security considerations in view, the official said. 

Started in Sydney in Australia in 2007, the 'Earth Hour' had become a global event in 2008 with participation of 35 countries. India joined the Earth Hour campaign last year. Delhi alone had saved 700 MW of power by supporting the campaign.

In 2009, millions of people took part in the third Earth Hour. Over 4,000 cities in 88 countries officially switched off lights to pledge their support for saving the planet.