Press release - November 17, 2017
As part of its India tour the Rainbow Warrior is now anchored at Kochi, turning November 4, 2017 into a memorable day for Greenpeace and its associate organizations, activists and supporters in India. They have been looking forward to this event for weeks in the hope that it provides them an opportunity to interact and exchange views with the 16-strong crew of the ship and other guests who are on board.
The historic ship Rainbow Warrior virtually embodies the long struggle of Greenpeace to protect environment and fight climate change. For nearly four decades this renowned ship has been on voyages touching almost every part of the world. It is now sailing in Indian waters for the first time docking at some of our ports along its way.
As part of its India tour the Rainbow Warrior is now anchored at Kochi, turning November 4, 2017 into a memorable day for Greenpeace and its associate organizations, activists and supporters in India. They have been looking forward to this event for weeks in the hope that it provides them an opportunity to interact and exchange views with the 16-strong crew of the ship and other guests who are on board.
The arrival of the ship in India beginning from October 22, 2017 at Goa has brought recognition to Greenpeace India’s campaigns - from ecological agriculture to use of rooftop solar energy, and for clean air and water with the idea to not only improve health and hygiene but also to curb carbon emission and mitigate climate change.
At Mumbai guests and activists had an organic lunch on October 28th afternoon with food grown by Greenpeace India supported farmers at village Kedia in Jamui district of Bihar. The lunch hosted among others celebrities like Prahlad Kakkar and Raveena Tandon was present. The former took great pride in being also the chef.
Stressing the importance of organic farming and cultivation, Rajesh Krishnan, an organic farmer himself, who recently received the second Kerala youth icon award, pointed out the hazards of agrochemicals that affect both the farming community and consumers. He said: “Kerala has an organic farming policy that has been created in 2008. There is a vibrant movement supported by civil society on ground as well. There is a need for the Government of Kerala to stay focused on its path to sustainability of farming and livelihoods dependent on it.”
A billion acts of courage is the message that Rainbow Warrior carries everywhere and calls for people driven solutions towards climate change where individual actions are, equally if not more, effective to mitigate the climate crises. And India which has ratified Paris Climate Agreement stands committed to contribute its bit and more in the fight against climate change.
Thus, the Executive Director Greenpeace India Ravi Chellam remarked while welcoming the ship on its maiden trip to the country: “The ship brings hope for a world that is becoming increasingly precarious because of the threat posed by unpredictable and intense weather like unseasonal rains, sudden floods, recurring droughts and accompanying devastation to lives and livelihoods.”
“In India these changes are being felt like elsewhere in the world. This is the time that we all get together to make the world a better and safe place with clean and safe air, water and food that we need more than any other. We ought to look for safe alternatives in order to sustain and make our planet survive in the times to come.”