Having attempted several strategies and implementing many schemes to keep Mysuru clean, we should think of an idea which can bring systemic changes. All the earlier initiatives by institutions and NGOs have contributed. But not to make a lasting difference. We from MGP have been suggesting a simple but difficult strategy to implement by educational institutions over the years.
Our idea is to involve students in schools and colleges who can play a key role in keeping our surroundings clean. If we implement taking into consideration critical success factors, we can achieve our ambitious goal of keeping Mysuru clean even during dussera. In the past our approach did not adapt such a strategic approach.
Without a doubt MCC has made tremendous progress in handling Mysuru’s garbage in recent years. Collection of garbage from households is definitely much better than what it used to be. Certainly there are some places where service can be improved. Legacy waste is finally being handled. We have finally made some progress to take care of Construction and Demolition Waste.
Handling of specialized waste materials like hospital, electronic, durable plastic etc. is slowly being taken care of. While all these require special handling, most important and equally most difficult one of keeping city clean of garbage and preventing people from throwing around garbage every where and any where has been difficult. It is now the turn of we the people to own our responsibility also.
Piled up garbage on Chamundi Hills during ashadmas should shock the conscience of every responsible citizen. Equally shocking is the horrible scene of garbage in and around palace ground, and in all public places during dussera. Despite the efforts of several NGOs and elaborate planning by MCC, we have failed miserably so far. To prepare for Dussera, time is now and not few weeks before dussera.
Every year, we go through the usual drill of holding meetings of different stakeholders seeking suggestions just before dussera. But there has been little or no impact. Let us change it this year.
Though we have finally accepted the fact that the only way to stop irresponsible people from throwing garbage is to impose fines, it has not been possible so far. To scare the violators as it happens in countries like Singapore, we need a system to impose fine in at least 90% of the cases. Public will wholeheartedly support a policy of imposing fine on violators.
Yes, we can impose fines if we can find them. Those throwing garbage also are fully aware that it is not easy to impose a fine.
We can attempt to change this by implementing the proposed strategy in this note.
If by some “magic’ which needs hard and consistent work, we can recruit at least committed, concerned and above all self motivated students, we can make a beginning. These students to start with should be requested to do only two things. First they themselves should not throw garbage outside their houses and second when others throw, they should boldly stop them from throwing. If they fail, they should make every effort to report on them. If public comes to know that there are 10000 wardens all over the city watching over them, we may be starting a new chapter in our city of keeping our city clean.
Above strategy sounds simple on paper. However to recruit 10000 is not an easy step. We need the involvement of school managements, teachers and finally parents. To sell this idea, we can consider the teachings of all religions which is “GIVING BACK TO SOCIETY.” This is easy to inculcate from younger days and the best place is school.
At young age, children do not have the luxury of donating funds to give back. But they have the ability to get involved in taking up the noble task of keeping the city clean if properly motivated by their teachers. Getting involved in keeping the city clean is “GIVING BACK TO SOCIETY.” This is the message we need to give to the prospective student wardens through the self motivated teachers. I am giving below a detailed plan to implement this strategy.
- By involving DDPI, we need to recruit as many schools as possible to participate in this program to reach the target of 10000 students. Request DDPI to help recruit schools to reach the target of 10000. We need to ensure that there is no compulsion on any schools, on any teachers and students. This should all be completely voluntary. Giving back to society should not be imposed. MCC staff have to work with the DDPI office in the process of recruiting schools. They may even help in monitoring the performance of different schools. We need to recruit at least 150 schools.
- Organize a meeting at MCC presided by the M C C
Commissioner at least by the third week of June. We are running out of time. Invite DDPI and principals of few schools who have shown interest in the past. This may be the only meeting to get their suggestions. We should avoid making them come to MCC and divert their precious time from their basic responsibility. - We should form an advisory group of MLAs, MLCs and two or three former Mayors who had succeeded in keeping the city cleaner during their time. It should also consist of few NGOs who have contribute to MCC’s efforts.
- Each school should identify at least two self motivated teachers to head the efforts to recruit at least 50 to 75 students and constantly inspire to get them involved as Mysuru Clean City Warden. Teachers should continuously monitor their involvement. MCC staff should keep in touch with these teachers in a formal way to give them encouragement and give any assistance if needed.
- The way we are structuring the program, no effort or time will be diverted from the studies. Thus no school will raise any objection to get involved.
- MCC should develop a sound publicity program ( social network, TV media, print media) to inform the public about MCC’s new initiative asking interested Mysureans to get involved. NSS chapters of Colleges also should of their own take initiative to get involved.
We should consider developing an incentive program to motivate school managements, teachers and students to give their best by giving awards for outstanding performance. In any case, every participating students should be given a certificate if their teachers are satisfied with their contribution. Just signing up should not be a criterion.
To the top five students who have made an outstanding contribution by preventing people from throwing garbage and getting them prosecuted we may consider giving monetary rewards. Top prize should be at least Rs. 10000 or even more if we can raise to make it attractive.
To three teachers whose school students have done an outstanding work, we can consider giving monetary rewards also. Here also Top prize should be at least Rs. 10000.
MGP will make every effort to help raise Rs. 50000 to give monetary awards.
Critical success factors.
1. Involvement by DDPI office.
2. Recruiting at least two committed and self motivated teachers from each school by the school management.
3. Continuous monitoring the progress of the project by MCC team from the beginning.
4. Developing a sound publicity policy to make people aware that they will be fined without exception if they throw garbage.