Corporates switch off on Sat

BANGALORE: Many corporate houses across the country are supporting the Earth Hour initiative by switching off their lights at 8.30 pm on Saturday.
"All the HP offices across India will switch off their lights in support of the Earth Hour. Keeping in mind the safety guidelines, bare minimum and emergency lights will be kept on," says Srihari Gopinath, head of influencer relations for HP India.
Additionally to create awareness among the youth, companies are also making use of the digital medium."By maintaining the earth hour.in website and allowing users to register we are looking to create more awareness. By mentioning the campaign on Facebook and Twitter we are taking advantage of social media," says Gopinath.
Some corporates are even going a step further. They are spreading the word in and around their offices. "Spreading the message through word of mouth is the best way to move ahead. We have been talking to residents in and around our offices to ensure that they also switch off their lights for an hour. By switching off lights across our offices in the country we expect 3% energy savings for the bank itself," says Sonalee Panda, head (marketing & products), ING Vysya Bank.
As a part of the campaign for the first time, ITC-Welcome group Hotels all over India are formally participating. "Since the 16th of March we are spreading awareness about the Earth Hour. We have put up posters in the public areas and the lobby. Even our hotel staff is wearing badges and we have been informing guests about the initiative. They will be encouraged to leave their rooms for that one hour. The non-essential lighting will be shut off or downed to a minimum," says the public relations manager, ITC Hotel The Windsor.
Additionally, at ITC Windsor, the restaurants `The Raj Pavilion' and `Royal Afghan' will serve `candle-light' dinner. "The idea of the Earth Hour campaign has been well received by our guests and we are getting positive feedback. Some of them are even looking forward to an evening of dining in the candlelight ambience and enjoying the spirit of `climate change' awareness," says the public relations manager.