IT majors, fancy shopping malls, homes and business establishments in India’s tech hub will shut off lights for an hour Saturday evening to observe Earth Hour. 

Those participating in the Earth Hour will Saturday switch off lights in their homes, offices and business establishments at 8.30 pm, for exactly 60 minutes. 

– Bangalore to Observe Earth Hour, The Times of India, 28 Mar 2009

This is weird to say the least.

Bangalore, and large parts of India, have been observing earth hour / earth day / earth night for many many years now. Even this morning there was no power supply to my home between 9 AM – 11 AM.

The Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM), the main supplier of power in the city, too has been working hard for the past one week to create awareness among Bangalore’s denizens to make Earth Hour a successful event. 

“All our employees are participating in the event. I appeal to all Bangaloreans to participate in the event and pledge to fight against global warming,” said a senior BESCOM official, who didn’t wished to be named. 
– Bangalore to Observe Earth Hour, The Times of India, 28 Mar 2009

BESCOM working hard to create awareness about global warming? So that’s what good old load shedding was all about? Thanks you Lord for showing me the light! or should it be for switching it off? Whatever.

Students protest over load shedding in City
Bangalore, DH News Service:

Members of the Bharathinagar Residents Forum staged a protest in front of the locality’s BESCOM offices on Wednesday, voicing their anger against the timing of the power shutdown being enforced in the area. 

The group comprising about 150 children and 50 adults were irate over the fact, that the shutdown timing created severe problems for students who were preparing for their ongoing examinations. 

– The Deccan Herald, Mar 12, 2009

It’s all right for guys who have never seen a power failure in their lives to make a big fuss about switching off their lights for an hour to “raise awareness about global warming” or whatever pet cause they may champion. It is downright foolish (and highly irritating) to apply that symbolism in a country where chronic power shortage is a way of life.

And talking of global warming, since the last ice age the globe has been warming. You want it to stop now, just to suit us puny humans?

“Very well. Sea,” cried Canute, “I command you to come no further! Waves, stop your rolling!. Surf, stop your pounding! Do not dare touch my feet!”

He waited a moment, quietly, and a tiny wave rushed up the sand and lapped at his feet.

“How dare you!” Canute shouted. “Ocean, turn back now! I have ordered you to retreat before me, and now you must obey! Go back!”

– King Canute on The Seashore, The Book of Virtues, James Baldwin

Just deal with it guys!