BANGALORE: Even as the PMO is busy tweeting that it is gladdened by people sharing their thoughts on the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Bangalore colleges are taking up the cause too.
This week began with about 160 students and faculty of the Vijaya Teachers College cleaning up the streets of Jayanagar 3rd and 4th Block. After Modi mooted the idea, M Ed students of the college felt that as future teachers and educationists, they too had to set an example.
“Narendra Modi was calling out to celebrities to inspire people. People also observe teachers, remember their actions and even emulate them,” says S Rajesh, an M Ed student who coordinated the first leg of the drive.
So he and his classmates spoke of their idea with the B Ed students who were enthusiastic about the clean-up drive as well.
“There was litter around our college too, and the day after we cleaned up, we looked at our college and felt that it was beautiful,” he adds.
About 20 students of PESIT have formed a students’ club of sorts called i-care to take up social service activities. Over the past year, they also expanded to include green initiatives like tree planting and a clean-up drive as well.
“We were already planning an activity to do with garbage segregation and cleaning up, and after Modi announced Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, we decided to have it on October 2,” says Harmanjeet Singh Nagi, a final year electrical engineering student.
In addition, this group of students, supported by others from the college, also wants to create awareness about garbage segregation and cleanliness. “It’s also important to clean up the mindset of people, and we plan to have activities for that as well,” he adds.
Students from both colleges appreciated the assistance that they received from the BBMP, saying that they have been extremely cooperative.
On Wednesday morning, over 200 students of Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics (MAAC) cleaned the Cantonment Railway Station as part of their Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. The cleaning drive was supported by Bangalore Political Action Committee (B.PAC). The function was attended by actress Sanjjanaa, Peace Autos curator Anil Shetty and others.