Low-key celebrations for Gandhi Jayanthi due to Covid by Mluru City Corporation
Mangaluru : Gandhi Jayanthi celebrations held by Mangaluru City Corporation was a low-key affair as it lacked the usual grandeur of the past. Mahatma Gandhi’s love for the nation, supreme dedication for our country’s independence, and kindness to poor people has awarded him the honor to be called “Father of the Nation” or “Bapu”. He gave his life in the struggle for Indian Independence and gained freedom on 15th August 1947. In remembrance of his contributions, sacrifices, love for the country, philosophy, truth, and non-violence, we all celebrate Gandhi Jayanti on October 2nd every year and also this day is celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence worldwide, announced by the United Nations General Assembly on the 15th of June 2007. In some parts of the country, Bapu’s birthday is commemorated with physical activities based on some theme, to grow public awareness globally.
Prior to the celebration of Gandhi Jayanthi, MCC Commissioner Akshy Sridhar, MCC Mayor Diwakar Pandeshwar, MCC Health Officer Dr Manjayya Shetty, Madhu Manohar- MCC Environmental Engineer, MCC Deputy Mayor Mrs Vedavathi, Corporator Mrs Leelavathi Prakash, among other MCC officials visited the nearby houses of MCC building, and distributed pamphlets about waste segregation and on precautions of covid-19. Members of Rotary Club of Mangaluru, including Rotary District Governor Rtn Ranganath Bhat also joined in the campaign. After visiting a few houses, the dignitaries marched towards the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, located in front of MCC building on M G Road, and garlanded the statue and showered flower petals.
Former MCC mayor Sashidhar Hegde and Bejai ward corporator Lancelot Pinto also garlanded the statue, following which a short programme was held in the MCC building. Speaking on Waste segregation, MCC Commissioner Akshy Sridhar said, “Waste Segregation will be uniformly implemented in all 60-wards of Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) from 2 October 2020. As a trial run to ascertain the pitfalls in five wards, the civic body collected wet waste from residential and commercial complexes on a daily basis and dry waste every Friday. MCC will give a maximum grace period of 10-days after which fines as approved in the civic body’s bylaws will be levied. MCC is also considering setting up CCTV surveillance in open spaces that have become debris dump ground. Health inspectors and environmental engineers will keep tabs on waste segregation”.
“These stringent steps are very much necessary with the National Green Tribunal monitoring the situation. The NGT has also directed the chief secretary to explain in person the steps that the state has taken to comply with Solid Waste Management Act, 2016, an act that even the union government is serious about. MCC has already directed all bulk generators of waste to set up their own processing plants or make arrangements for its scientific disposal. Households, hotels, hostels, educational institutions, bars and restaurants, marriage halls, catering firms, businesses who convert wet waste into compost will get a rebate of 50% in solid waste management cess they pay as part of the property tax. MCC will provide forms for this purpose from 2 October. Health inspectors will verify compost arrangements in households, institutions to facilitate them claim the rebate” added Akshy Sridhar.
MCC Mayor Diwakar also spoke and urged the people to keep their surroundings clean, and also follow the guidelines of Covid-19, since there has been a spike in Covid-19 cases and deaths daily. “We all gained freedom under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhiji, but his dream of a clean India is still unfulfilled. He made cleanliness and sanitation an integral part of the Gandhian way of living. Cleanliness is most important for physical well-being and a healthy environment. It has a bearing on public and personal hygiene. It is essential for everyone to learn about cleanliness, hygiene, sanitation and the various diseases that are caused due to poor hygienic conditions. The habits learnt at a young age get embedded into one’s personality. Mahatma Gandhi said, “I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet.”. We should all keep our city clean and green” added Mayor.
On the occasion, Waste Picker identity cards were issued to six people, out of the 156 persons selected. These waste pickers will collect dry waste and then send it to the recyclers. The waste pickers and the operator will get their earnings from the revenue generated from the sale of recyclable waste. The concept was initiated by Hasiru Dala / APD Foundation, understanding the current Solid Waste Management (SWM). Survey was done to determine the number of waste pickers in the City. Apart from MCC Commissioner and Mayor, other dignitaries present on the dais were-Former MCC Mayor Sashidhar Hegde, Rotary District Governor Rtn Ranganath Bhat, Deputy Mayor Mrs Vedavathi, among others. The programme was compered by Er Madhu S Manohar, the MCC Environmental Engineer.
