Each year, the summer in UAE shows us scorching temperatures, the result of which is the exceedingly increased use of electrical appliances to help beat the heat. Monitoring this trend for the past many years, the Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (SEWA) announced that on July 1st, the time from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm will be commemorated as ?Peak Hour?, where all residents shall be encouraged to switch off all their lights, fans, ACs and other electrical appliances for that hour, as per the instruction from HH Sheikh Dr .Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qassimi, Ruler of Sharjah and Member of the Federal Supreme Council

This event was celebrated in a unique manner by my initiative, Serve The Earth, where we got more than 40 families together at the Al Nakheel Oasis in Sharjah, during the peak hour, an event which was supported thoroughly by Bee?ah, Sharjah?s leading environmental company. All the participants confirmed that all their electrical devices at home were switched off.

The children aged as young as 4 years old and even college going students, along with their parents huddled to support SEWA, as well as improve some skills, with 3 essential motives present behind the ideal of this campaign. First, to debunk the myth that most children maintain that there?s blistering heat outdoors. Next, to spread the awareness about the importance of spending time with nature and third, but most important, to increase awareness about and effects of saving electricity not just during peak hours, but on a regular basis.    

Diya Thakur, 14, who initiated the idea of the commemoration stated, ?Today?s children are slowly turning into ?Eco-Sapiens? which is a new terminology coming up for ecologically aware conservationists.?

My brother Raunak Kapur ex Tunza Ambassador also joined me & helped to organize the event actively. He is in the UAE in his summer break.

During the event, a fan making competition was organized and dubbed, ?Make a Fan if you Can?, where the children made fans from recycled or discarded material. These fans also served the purpose of beating the heat during the hour. The students came up with innovative and creative ideas, and poured out their artistic abilities, along with environmental awareness in creating these fans. Their jaw-dropping innovation was highlighted when they made use of tea-light candle shells, Plastic Bottle parts, leaves and even Ice Cream sticks.    

Beeah, Sharjah environmental company agreed to support the event & their officials graced the event. They handed over certificates to the winners of the competition & all the participants as well.

Mahika Agarkar, 12, who came all the way from Dubai along with her elder brother, made a fan out of old plastic bottle caps, cardboard from cartons and otherwise discarded decorative material. ?Conserving our resources is the need of the hour and such events definitely remind us of that.?, said Mahika, while Lisha Thakur, 8, said, ?My fan is made from the dried leaves of the Date Palm that I grow at my house, it also has immense utility.?

Mrs. Anjum Hasan, the environment in-charge of Delhi Private School, Sharjah, applauded the children on their eco-friendliness and environment appeal, and the awareness with which they are loaded.

In the lap of nature, amidst the sunny weather and yet a slight breeze, the tech-savvy generation realized that sometimes, it?s best to slow down, and be one with nature and engage in a productive activity, the entire cycle of which serves multiple benefits to the environment and to one?s personality.

In a nutshell, the event turned out to be successful, with all the basic motives achieved. Hence, I encourage all readers to spend their vacation by visiting beaches and parks, not only during the peak hour, but also during mornings and evenings, thus saving electricity whilst being one with nature. It is imperative that just like the internationally celebrated Earth Hour, we commemorate Peak Hour as well, with full heart and fervor, with just as much consistency.

The same report was published in the UAE National newspaper Gulf news as a community repot. This served as an encouragement to many in the community as many students & families subsequently called & congratulated me & my group members for their efforts.