The results of Satya Foundation's campaign for Sound Pollution free State between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. (as per the Supreme Court guidelines) are now showing, gradually. Everybody knew the rule but still suffering from the late night sound pollution. Even the high profile bureaucrats, businessmen and the leaders used to discuss the problem in private, but nobody dared to do anything for the fear of public outrage, but now things are coming on the right track. 

First such kind of report against the sound pollution in residential areas lodged by Chetan Upadhyaya of Satya Foundation on 10th February, 2008 at Varanasi and the Police acted very promptly. Later, the issue was followed up with the Police officials, public and the media. Soon, the city saw an array of Posters and Pamphlets from Sarnath to B.H.U. and Rajghat to D.L.W. The public was informed about the importance of sound sleep and how lack of this could lead to diseases like obesity, anxiety, depression, heart-related disorders and even Cancer. Initially, the response was very cold and many people raised eyebrows and question mark over it saying that this campaign won't succeed, but with every passing day, people are coming up with their support for the cause. 

The heat of Satya Foundation's campaign was also felt in the U.P. Assembly on 10.03.2008 when Mr. Hukum Singh of BJP and Mr. Pramod Tiwari of Congress raised this issue of late night sound pollution. And then on 12th March, 2008, Uttar Pradesh's Director General of Police, Mr. Vikram Singh issued Circular to all the concerned Police Officers for enacting the Supreme Court order for not allowing any kind of Sound Pollution (D.J., Loudspeaker, Band, Firecrackers etc.) between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. And on evening of 14th March, the DGP called up the Satya Foundation Secretary, Mr. Chetan Upadhyaya to give his warm wishes and extended full support for the success of the campaign. 

Apart from organizing Nukkad meetings and distributing the literature, the Satya Foundation activists also organised awareness programmes in different Police Stations.  

On the World Environment Day (June 5, 2008), Satya Foundation had a meeting with the Police Department in Varanasi. It was decided that a separate Sound Pollution register would be maintained for recording such complaints. 

Now, anybody tortured by the Sound Pollution does not fear or panic. He/She simply calls up the Police Control Room on 100 and the police acts immediately, informs Mr. Vijay Bhushan, Superintendent of Police.  

This is not the work of just one NGO, rather it is a TEAM WORK, tells Manish Kumar, Media Secretary of Satya Foundation. We are just creating the right kind of awareness and instill confidence in the people to fight for their rights on their own. 

Ask the famous Cardiac Surgeon Dr. Ajay Kumar Pandey from the prestigious Apollo Clinic or the Architect Mrs. Krishna Somany, they will tell that the initiative taken by Satya Foundation is enabling them to have sound sleep, these days.

"The Times of India" in its Varanasi edition dated 21.03.2008, reports this bottom line story:(EXCERPTS):: 

"Lord Shiva can dwell in city sans Cacophony".   

TIMES NEW NETWORK     Kashi-the abode of Lord Shiva- has decided to stand up and silence those disturbing the musical fabric of the city. An array of posters and pamphlets have come up on the city walls decrying the use of loudspeakers and crackers in marriage ceremonies and other celebrations, particularly during night hours.....     

 .....In fact, even before the DGP orders came, a campaign against Noise pollution had already been started a couple of months ago by the Satya Foundation, a social organization. Now, encouraged with DGP orders, an intensified campaign has been launched, said Chetan Upadhyaya, secretary of the Foundation.He added that pamphlets containing the mobile phone numbers of the station officers of all police stations were being distributed among the people to create awareness over the issue. The posters also highlight the ill-effects of noise pollution on health.

And on 4th of March, 2009 we have written a detailed mail to the Director General of U.P. Police for taking strong action against the violators under the Environment Protection Act & also IPC 268, 290 and 291. Satya Foundation wants all the marriage lawns and other open air clubs/community centres to put a large board on the premises that anybody involved in Noise pollution is liable to be jailed up to 5 years or fined or both. 

On behalf of 20 crore people of the state, we demand that if found to disturb the tranquility of area, the SO's of all the police stations in every district should be given free hand to seize the DJ, generators, sound system or any other source of noise pollution, specially between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. 

We are not against the celebrations but we want it to be done in such a manner that it does not disturb the peace of neighbors. For good health, one needs to have a sound sleep apart from balanced diet and exercise. It is ironical that we have not been able to concentrate on such a vital issue and Satya Foundation has only one message: "If you want to reduce the number of hospitals, curb sound pollution at once". 

Satya Foundation has plans to come up with a big multimedia campaign for the entire state and all our efforts are concentrated on motivating the people to come up with their complaints by dialing toll-free 100 than suffering in silence. To strengthen our programme, we need generous funds from individuals / organisations. No amount is too small or big. Donations are exempted from Income Tax under Section 80G and can be sent to:

SATYA FOUNDATION
B-14, VIRAAT VILLA
D63/12, MAHMOORGANJ
VARANASI-221 010 (U.P.)

Links to latest media reports:

http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14874239    

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Varanasi/For-your-ears-only/articleshow/4223534.cms

http://www.rashtriyasahara.com/NewsDetailFrame.aspx?newsid=79424

http://ncr.samaylive.com/news/an-appeal-against-noise-pollution-by-satya-foundation.html

Please open the attachments below and read the various reports about the joint efforts of Public, Police/Administration, Media and Satya Foundation, in tackling the problem of Sound Pollution: