NETRITVA’16 - THE LEADERSHIP HUNT TEAM NO. 49 ATHARVA “CLEANLINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS”
PLAN OF CAMPAIGN Approach : The campaign strategy was focused on approaching the masses such that maximum population is covered as well as the effects that are seen in the region are widespread and long lasting. The campaign addressed issues of personal hygiene, public sanitation conditions, lack of awareness and the general issue of public attitude that withholds the population in taking a proactive attitude towards the problem, i.e, the cleanliness. The campaign focused on gathering as much attention as possible towards this issue as it is taken rather lightly in Indian society. The highlight of the entire drive is the approach that is adopted. We not only took upon the general population but also tried to understand the conditions that are present in the departments. We looked upon the basic lack in amenities that is plaguing the sanitation department itself and tried to adopt a method that will give way to a structure that would eventually embark upon a cleaner India. “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” made a base for the drive, and the slogan “ na gandagi karenge , na karne denge ” was adopted as team motto. Strategy and Phases : The campaign tried to cover as much base as possible. Continued communication within the team and with other teams helped in the overall upliftment of the morale that was surrounding the initiative. The campaign was divided in the following phases:
Awareness: This was most thoroughly explored through this campaign. Knowing the awareness levels of the students and the general opinions that the population holds, we targeted on highlighting personal hygiene. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan relegates the significance of the same, and we adopted it as our own. We covered the colonies, hostels and the local
schools, as we tried to evolve a general consensus among the population on the issue. Self Help: Indian society believes in the methodology of “helping those who help themselves”. Following this we undertook a massive cleanliness drive. Our actions spoke louder than words. Our plan covered cleaning of park areas, hostels, and canteens and
encouraging people to be involved in the process. Fund Raising: through our survey, we stumbled upon the dire condition that surrounds the department of sanitation. Accepting this as an opportunity for making pantnagar a better place, we planned on raising funds for the department and, at the same time, making people
aware about the issue. The fund raising event covered hostel students as well as residential
areas. Mass media: The campaign tried to make as much noise as possible in order to draw the much needed focus. Covering our bases, the campaign maintained regular communication with audience through facebook, Radio shows, Posters , as well as with other teams, hence pooling resources and giving effective result. ACTIVITIES AND WORK DONE
Different activities and events were organised to make people aware about cleanliness. We organised a massive cleanliness drive on the following days of the campaign. We encouraged people of the main market, students, and other residential people to participate in the “swachh bharat abhiyan”. Following pictures were taken during the campaign.:
CLEANING OF MAIN MARKET
AWARENESS IN HOSTEL(MANDAKINI)
CLEANING OF MESS ( PATEL BHAWAN)
CLEANING OF PCT LAWNS
AWARENESS IN SCHOOL CLASSROOMS
CLEANING NEAR BRIJWASI CANTEEN
SWACHH BHARAT ABHIYAAN [IN SCHOOL]
DISTRIBUTING SAFETY EQUIPMENTS,
OTHER EVENTS DONE WERE RADIO SHOW, CONTRIBUTION OF FUNDS BY COLLEGE STUDENTS (MANDAKINI BHAWAN, PATEL BHAWAN), APPLICATION TO VICE CHANCELLOR REGARDING PROBLEMS FACED BY SWEEPERS WORKING IN THE UNIVERSITY. IMPACTS : “To bring the change, Be the change.” The aim of the campaign was to analyse and promote the perspective of people towards cleanliness. For the same motto, we organised different awareness programs and activities. The impact of these events was as follows :
Since learning starts from the grassroots we went to different schools and made children aware about cleanliness. In return, children promised to make their classrooms and
playgrounds clean. There was a spark in their eyes to bring the change and they all have
promised to keep that spark alive. The teachers of the school appreciated the initiative and were inspired by it. They pledged to
bring the change in their society. The students, guards and sweepers who cleaned the mess of the hostel(Patel Bhawan) decided to clean their surroundings and stop people from littering the environment. They
vowed to aware their relatives and people around them about “swachh bharat abhiyaan”. After seeing different students cleaning the market, even the shopkeepers came forward for
the “safai abhiyaan”. Seeing the sanitation department of the university in trouble the college students were moved towards the cause of helping the members of the department. Everyone, who came to know about them, contributed towards helping them. This shows their generosity and compassion towards them.
SUCCESS CASES AND SALIENT ACHIEVEMENTS – Like Charity begins at home, Cleanliness also begins at home. We, with the students residing in our respective hostels, took up the task to clean our surroundings, starting with the hostel mess itself. The realization dawned upon us that hygiene and health is a God’s gift that we must ‘handle with care’. For students, it was only about coming to the mess from our rooms, eating the prepared stuff and getting back to the rooms. We realized the efforts of the sweeping staff of our hostel mess to keep the mess clean and healthy. During the prayer session of VSM members, we approached them and conveyed about our motto. They generously joined hands with us and participated in cleaning of the main market. Seeing us contributing towards the maintenance, shopkeepers held brooms in their hands and cleared the porch of their shops. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan still had a place in everybody’s soul. It was heart wrenching to know the plight of workers who look after the clean green image of our university. They had no gumboots, masks or even hand gloves that was required for their hygiene. We had an idea in our head to go for funds and buy the essentials for the workers but were not sure about the co-operation of college students. But to our immense surprise, the response was so positive that we managed to collect a handsome amount in no time. Everybody was responsing to our campaign in a way that surprised us and at the same time made us comprehend that there is still a tinge of humanity alive in the society that has become selfish . We thought of the future of our campaign. It is definitely not a 4 day issue. Cleanliness should become a habit, a ritual and something that we were supposed to inculcate in every individual breathing on the soil of Bharat Mata. We questioned ourselves that who is the future of our country? Who will sustain us when we will breathe our last? It is surely the children of our country who will preserve the integrity of our environment. With the same school of thought, we knocked the doors of the room of principal of Balniliyam School,
Pantnagar. She shared her thoughts about how the education is being applied theoretically but not practically. We asked for her permission to have a talk with the children of the school. They provided us with mics and there we organized a spontaneous workshop on “Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” It was wonderful when small children shared their thoughts about how they help their mother clean the house and how they take care about the cleanliness of their school. It was a surprise to us when a student of class 2nd educated us, the elders, about how the concept of a compost pit is being utilised in her society. It was an ‘awesome’ session with students that involved some fun and recreational activities that witnessed faithful participation from teachers as well as students. We together cleaned the playground, the garden and the classrooms of the school. “Phirse aayiyega Didi-Bhaiya” were the words of tiny tods when we waved them bye. We moved onto a bit elder though younger generation – the youth of India. We took brooms in our hands, and together with the co-operation of college students took to cleaning the vicinity of Brijwasi Canteen area. Heaps of garbage got collected and we put them all in the compost pit that was dug near by. Later we went to buy the essentials that were to be distributed the next day among the workers.
The next day was the day of smiles. Beautiful was the feeling that came along with the happiness we saw on the faces of workers of Sanitation department. We distributed the gumboots, masks and rubber gloves to them and they were filled with jolly. It was important to knock the doors of administration and positively ask about where does the problem lie in giving away these essentials from the university’s side? We, gathered advices from our elders and seniors, and wrote a letter to the Honourable Vice-Chancellor of the university. Awaited is their response, but we will not stop here. We will knock the same doors again and again till we get the answer. LEARNING OF CAMPAIGN AND PLAN AHEAD: Throughout the course of survey and campaign, we learnt how much lies deep inside the phrase “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”. These are not some mere words but a discipline. A value that should be converted into a habit. Together when us, the different minds met, we did not realize how close we will come together to take the campaign forward. Teamwork can do wonders. A nation is not known for its name but for its citizens. Our team was like a nation too. We explored the society together. It was fun session to interact with different people. Just to know their thoughts, we moulded ourselves to be them for few moments and then switched into another ‘avatar’ to know someone else’s thoughts. We tested our communication skills, convincing power and patience ; all at once. Throughout the course our stamina was also tested. We interacted with individuals, groups and groups of groups. It was not less than any event to gather people and address them. To tackle things at formal and informal level, how to face the dignitaries and how to face the workers , how to organise gatherings, managing both college schedule and the campaign and there is much more to the same.
We plan ahead to raise the issue of staff members of sanitation department to a professional level and find the solution through collaborating with the administration to several problems of the workers. It was immense grief to find out about the low salary they are paid, no basic essentials/ equipments they are provided that they have right upon or the permanent recruitment of members for the particular jobs, which is posing as a difficulty for the workforce of 29 members to manage cleaning, sweeping or managing the second largest university (Areawise) of the world. We have submitted a letter (that has been despatched) to raise voices about the same concern in the VC Office. We will track the same till the demands are met. We will frequently visit the schools and market areas and will keep a check on the cleanliness and maintenance of the areas. Also we will organize more workshops to promote health, hygiene and cleanliness and inculcate it as a value in minds of every individual we come across. It is not our campaign but people’s campaign which we hope to stand out as a success in future and years to come.
