Thoughtfully gifted! Showering appreciation, UN thanks India for its solar panel gift to the headquarters

New Delhi, November 13: Standing up for a cause, stepping in to create a change for the future generations, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pitched in for Solar power panels to be used for power generation. Implying the same and gifting the United Nations, the world body has showered its appreciation towards India for its gift. However, it is suggested that the solar panel energy can be used to run escalators in the UN headquarters.

 

The United Nations is facing a severe liquidity crisis, reaching its deepest deficit of the decade. Several emergency measures have been put in place by the UN to tide over the financial crunch. Official travel will be limited to the most essential activities, air conditioning and heating in the UN Secretariat has been reduced outside official working hours and catering facilities are being operated with reduced hours.

Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General, in a daily press briefing said, “The issue with the escalators, as we pointed out, is an issue having to do with our budget. We are using solar panels. As you know, India had donated that, and we’re very appreciative for the donation. But when it comes to our cost-cutting measures, we’ll keep reviewing them and probably bring more services online once the money comes in.”

About the escalator situation, the spokesperson said that a suggestion was made that the energy generated from the Gandhi Solar Park, installed on the roof of the UN Headquarters, can be used to power the escalators. UN Spokesperson Dujarric had said that the UN was saving about $14,000 a year by keeping the escalators closed. Another suggestion to tide over the liquidity crunch was to get sheep to mow the lawns in the UN Headquarters just as they were being used to mow the lawns in the UN offices in Geneva.

India is among the initial group of over 30 UN Member States who paid their regular budget dues in full and on time to the world organisation as of October 11, 2019. India paid USD 23.25 million in regular budget assessments by January 31, 2019, the 30-day due period specified as per UN’s Financial Regulation rules.