Innovation has no limits.  This will be proven once again, as the Chief Executive Officers of 5 IT firms in Kerala hold an underwater conference in the waters of Kovalam today.

The purpose of this unique conference is to spread the message against pollution in the marine environment, both around the Indian peninsula as well as globally.  In the wake of a recent report, which defined the seas around Mumbai, Goa, Kerala and the Andaman Islands as the most polluted…most of which is caused by inland originating debris specially plastic.  This pollution, apart from affecting marine life directly, is also a cause of hygiene and health issues for those residing around the shores.

“Sea pollution is rising at an alarming level. Our endeavour is to make the public aware of the dangers posed by littering especially the unscientific disposal of plastic,” said Raja Gopaal Iyer, CEO of Uday Samudra Group, one of the main organisers of the event.  Raja will also participate in the underwater conference, for which the participants are training for the last week.

The CEOs, armed with diving and scuba equipment, will descend to 7 meters below the sea and have a 30 minute conference, during which they will take a pledge and sign a memorandum towards protecting marine and ocean life.  A logo depicting “Ocean Love” will also be released as a part of the conference.

Post the conference, details of the discussions and decisions will be posted on the FB page of Kerala Tourism Department.  Neologix, SKHF are the two other IT firms who are taking part in the wet conference to which Kerala Tourism, Kovalam Surfing Club and Swacch Bharat are partners.

On June 8, which is World Ocean Day, the Beach and Marine Environment Protection Club will be launched, which will ensure cleanliness across the sea and river shores.  The activities of the club will be replicated across the country, once the initial efforts are successful.

This is the second such underwater conference, the first being a Cabinet meeting held by the Maldives government in October 2009.  Can the third one be in Udaipur?

Source: Hindustan Times and other media reports