State Plan to Gather 6,000 Students at Vashi Sparks Safety Concerns
A state government plan to gather 6,000 school students at the CIDCO convention centre in Vashi, Navi Mumbai, to create a record-breaking human logo has sparked safety concerns among parents and school authorities in Thane and the wider region. The Department of Environment and Climate Change initiative, scheduled for July 22, aims to set a Guinness World Record for the "Largest Picture Mosaic Formed by People" to promote environmental awareness, but the requirement for children to travel during the peak monsoon has drawn sharp criticism.
In a letter dated July 2, the divisional deputy director of education, Mumbai, directed schools across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region to send at least 50 students each to participate in the programme. The directive was sent to education officers in Thane and Raigad districts, as well as education inspectors in Mumbai, instructing them to secure student participation and submit details within a set deadline.
Participating student volunteers have been asked to report to the Vashi venue by 9:00 AM on July 22. While participating schools are slated to receive certificates, parents have questioned the necessity of making children travel long distances during heavy rains.
Parents pointed out that roads across the region are frequently flooded during the monsoon, leading to severe traffic congestion and transport delays. A parent, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that while environmental awareness is important, it should not come at the cost of children's safety, suggesting that awareness could be spread within schools instead.
School principals also raised operational concerns regarding the event. A principal of a south Mumbai school noted that arranging transport and food for 50 students and two accompanying teachers is highly challenging under these weather conditions. The principal added that schools must secure parental consent before sending children and urged the education department to allow schools to participate in the event online instead.
