Under a new plan, CSIR scientists are coming to work on Mondays in unironed, wrinkled clothes in a move to to add to India’s energy conservation efforts, ToI’s report (by Surendra Singh) said.
In essence, these people are “wearing their green consciousness on their crumpled sleeves,” the report added.
The report said citing a statement by CSIR: “In a step towards energy saving, CSIR introduced ‘Wrinkles Achhe Hain (WAH) campaign wherein CSIR workforce can wear un-ironed clothes on Mondays. The council and its constituent laboratories…have joined the campaign to remind everyone about saving energy, protecting the environment and spreading awareness about climate change.”
An X post by CSIR’s National Institute Of Science Communication and Policy Research sayd: “Let’s iron out climate change, not our clothes!”
CSIR and its extensive network of laboratories, currently observing Swachta Pakhwada from May 1 to 15, have launched the “wrinkles campaign” under the guidance of its inaugural female director general, Dr N Kalaiselvi, who has spearheaded numerous eco-friendly initiatives.During a media interview, Dr Kalaiselvi mentioned that ironing clothes contributes to carbon dioxide emissions. She suggested that by wearing unironed clothes, individuals can reduce such emissions to some degree.While CSIR’s initiative serves as a symbolic gesture, it motivates young scientists to develop green technologies aimed at combating carbon dioxide emissions. Additionally, under Kalaiselvi’s leadership, CSIR is planning to decrease electricity consumption by 10% in its laboratories through other energy-saving methods. Moreover, the CSIR headquarters recently installed India’s largest climate clock on its building.
CSIR, engaged in a wide range of science and technology domains, operates through a network comprising 37 national laboratories, 39 outreach centers, an innovation complex, and three units spread across India. Its workforce includes 3,521 active scientists along with approximately 4,162 technical and support staff members.
