David Suzuki asks Punjabis to spend time in nature for 30 minutes daily

October 1, 2012 · 0 Comments

SUNIL NARULA
World-renowned environmental scientist, David Suzuki, is ready to connect with the Punjabi community in Surrey. Suzuki is asking all Punjabis, and all others as well, to spend time out in nature. People who sign up for his initiative “Punjabi By Nature By Nature Challenge” between September 17 and October 14 get to vote on the Bhangra move Suzuki will learn for them. So, David Suzuki is agog to become a Bhangra star for the sake of Punjabi people. All he is asking others is to spend time in nature.

We need to go out more often.

“Punjabi by Nature” is a joint effort of the David Suzuki Foundation and Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS). The challenge is to spend 30 minutes outside every day for the next month.
“Spending time outdoors is good for our health, head and happiness. We want to raise awareness about the benefits of spending time in nature within cultural communities across Canada,” says Harpreet Johal, from the David Suzuki Foundation. “Punjabi by Nature helps get people outside and celebrates the Punjabi culture of Bhangra,” adds Johal, who is the main contact person for Punjabi by Nature. More Canadians live in cities than ever before in history. The average person is indoors more than 90 per cent of the time and spends more than six hours a day in front of screens. Studies show that getting outside: Reduces anxiety, depression and stress. Increases energy, immune function, concentration, weight loss and fitness. Lowers the risk of diabetes, heart attack and colon cancer.
“The South Asian population, like all Canadians, needs more awareness about the importance of getting in touch with nature,” says Jasleen Kaur, from Progressive Intercultural Community Services(PICS). “We hope this fun campaign focusing on the Punjabi community will help the message stick.”
Challenge participants will be entered into a contest to win two tickets to hear David Suzuki speak at the PICS 25th Anniversary Celebration on November 2 in Surrey, B.C.
There will also be a nature walk and discussion on the health benefits of going outside every Sunday of the campaign (September 23 and 30, October 7 and 14) at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey at 1p.m.
A promo video has also been released in which a Punjabi-speaking Suzuki is asking everyone to join this initiative to connect with nature.