Ahead of this year’s World Environment Day, Diamond Toons and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) signed an MoU today to spread awareness on water conservation using classic and contemporary comic characters like the legendary Chacha Chaudhary and Sabu, teenager Billu and notorious Pinki, smart and fearless Little Chanakya and the green superhero alien dog Tinga Dojo.
The MoU was signed by TERI director general Dr. Vibha Dhawan and Diamond Toons director Manish Verma, during the curtain raiser event of The World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS), the annual flagship event of TERI. Under the agreement, a series of eight talking comics will be designed to leverage the power of visual storytelling to amplify awareness amongst children, youths and adults about the sustainable development goals and environment safety thereby helping them to become more responsible citizens.
Diamond Toons and TERI are actively working on different aspects related to sustainable development of society and have contributed in the dissemination and capacity building related to various government missions such as Swachh Bharat Mission and Namami Gange. Diamond Toons has put in all its famous and influential comic characters with a reach from kids to teens and adults for these campaigns.
Talking comics provide a unique way to communicate, using both visual images and text to convey the relevant message effectively. Talking comics can therefore trigger behavioural change among children and adults instilling in them good values. Chacha Chaudhary from Diamond Toons family is seen as a hero of change along with other characters including Sabu, Billu, Pinki, Little Chanakya and Tinga Dojo. The comics will be distributed via our 360-degree distribution network involving print, school integration, library programs, animation, outdoor, digital and social media.
Speaking on the occasion, Verma said, “Global challenges like water and climate action are in need of contribution from the private sector. Using superheroes to weave stories around issues that matter to us is an interesting way to bring about a significant change in the society. Legendary characters like Chacha Chaudhary is not just a comic superhero but a cult which is followed and loved by people across our country. His power and influence will definitely help in spreading the message, to adults and children alike- with a new innovative approach- simply and effectively.”
Dhawan said, “Children are the future of our country and also the opinion-influencer in our homes. So, building sensitivity among kids on water conservation has the potential to bring significant changes in daily activities of our families. Conveying the message on water conservation through legendary comic superheroes will be an innovative way to communicate with the kids and build the habit of water conservation among them.”
TERI senior directory and former secretary ministry of Jal Shakti S K Sarkar stated, “Water resources are finite. As per NITI Aayog estimates, water demand in the country will be twice its supply by 2030. So, to meet this demand-supply gap, water conservation is the most promising approach. Roles of all stakeholders including youth are extremely important. Awareness generation to motivate youth is very important for this, and this collaboration between TERI and Diamond Books will play a significant role.”