ebay.in to run a charity auction to bid to join actor and Earth Hour ambassador Arjun Kapoor on March 28, 2015 between 8:30pm and 9:30pm
Mumbai, March 12, 2015: eBay India (www.ebay.in) today pledged its support to the India Unplugged-Earth Hour 2015 campaign of WWF-India. The India Unplugged campaign, while asking people to switch off for the hour on March 28, 2015 between 8:30-9:30pm also builds awareness on Renewable Energy as a core focus area. As a part of this partnership, eBay India is helping WWF-India raise funds for theSahasraJyoti or Beacon for the Sundarbansinitiative. The project, launched as a part of the Earth Hour 2015 campaign aims at bringing sustainable development to the Sundarbans landscape in West Bengal, India and will enable 1000 households in the region energy access – all through solar energy.
To raise awareness forthe project,eBay India will be retailing a special range of Earth Hour T-shirts for Rs.299/-. Customers logging onto ebay.in will also have an opportunity to purchase renewable energy products which has been specially curated to mark the India Unplugged campaign. Additionally, ebay.in customers can choose to make monetary donations between Rs.10/- to Rs.26,000/- as an add-on to their regular purchase, proceeds of which will be directed to WWF-India for the SahasraJyoti initiative.
The highlight of this partnership is a charity auction ‘Bid to join actor and Earth Hour ambassador Arjun Kapoor, wherein two winners will get a chance to join the actor in Delhi on March 28, 2015, between 8:30 pm – 9:30 pm. Proceeds from the bid will also go towards supporting the SahasraJyoti initiative in the Sundarbans region of West Bengal.To bid for the charity auction, consumers will need to log on to www.ebay.in/earthhour. The auction will go live on March 13, 2015.
Speaking about the campaign and the partnership, Mr. Ravi Singh, Secretary General & CEO, WWF-India said, “Earth Hour brings together people across the globe to express their
concern over the crisis of climate change. This year, Earth Hour India will ask people to switch off for the hour and also help build awareness on renewable energy. We are happy to partner with eBay India and appreciate their involvement in the campaign. Their participation highlights their responsibility towards our planet and will inspire others to also come forward and pledge their support to the cause.”
“We are pleased to unite with WWF-India in their endeavor to make a difference to over 40,000 people who are living on the boundary of Sundarbans Tiger Reserve. Our unique eBay India for charity platform will give consumers a chance to engage with Arjun Kapoor and contribute towards setting up solar lights for the betterment of the Sundarbans inhabitants,” said, Girish Huria, Head Corporate Communication and Charity, eBay India.
4.5 million people live on the low-lying islands of the Sundarbans in the Bay of Bengal and is home to many rare and globally threatened wildlife species. WWF-India aims to set up micro solar power stations for households on the Satjelia Island which shares 22km of its boundary with the Sundarban Tiger Reserve.
About eBay for Charity
eBay India Charity Fundraising programme is a special section dedicated to NGOs & Socially Responsible Corporates and enables recognized charities to create awareness, raise funds and also list products and merchandise for sale to millions of global and Indian users. Log on to www.ebay.in/charity to know more.
About eBay India
eBay India (www.ebay.in) is a leading online marketplace and shopping destination in India where thousands of entrepreneurs list over 3 crore products across Electronics, Lifestyle, Collectibles and Media categories. eBay India is a 100% subsidiary of eBay Inc.
About WWF-India and Earth Hour
WWF-India is one of India’s leading conservation organizations with programmes and projects spread across the country. The organization works towards the conservation of biodiversity, natural habitats and the reduction of humanity’s ecological footprint. The mission of WWF-India is to stop the degradation of the earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.
Earth Hour is WWF’s global initiative and the largest environmental campaign in history where citizens around the world show their support for action on climate change by turning off non-essential lights for one hour, between 8:30pm-9:30pm. This year Earth Hour is scheduled for 28 March 2015 between 8:30pm and 9:30pm. Being implemented in India
since 2009, the Earth Hour campaign has inspired individuals, governments and corporations to move towards responsible consumption and conservation of energy. It has received unprecedented support, demonstrated by participation in over 150 towns and cities by several city governments, the armed forces, public and private sector companies, celebrities and individuals. The RashtrapatiBhavan, the Prime Minister’s residence, residences of Chief Ministers and government buildings in every participating city have turned off lights every year, as a symbolic show of support.