Run for a cleaner Bengaluru

On Sunday, November the 8th, the NGO Runners for Life has organised a 5km run, in partnership with Anonymous Indian to raise awareness about our cause ‘Let’s Clean Bengaluru’. Venue: Cubbon Park (opposite Kanteerava Stadium/ UB city entrance). Time: Assemble by 6.30 am. The run will start at 7 am. The run is free; there is NO registration fee. Put on your running shoes and join the run. Demonstrate your support for the cause. And help us create awareness about what we can do to help clean up and restore our beautiful Bengaluru.

A Season to Celebrate. But Less Mess Please

We have just marked another Diwali with happiness, joy and gifting. But in its aftermath, the festival has left a dismal picture on the streets, with remains of burnt crackers everywhere. Next time around let us take the trouble to be a little more sensitive to our environment and our streets. Organize a community celebration with all your neighbours and family in an open ground and make arrangements to clean up after wards. The noise pollution and particulate matter in the air aggravated the suffering of many with respiratory ailments in the city. Find novel ways to celebrate the festival with a bang without adding to the air pollution levels.

Freedom from garbage: united to bring about change

On August 15th, Independence Day, the city bore witness to a different kind of freedom struggle. This time they sought to overthrow dirt and garbage, and let a cleaner Bengaluru triumph. The massive, citywide clean up drive saw enthusiastic participation from all segments of society; housewives, students, residential associations, office goers all comprised the mass of concerned citizens who took to the streets of Bengaluru. Prominent people like the archbishop, Bernard Moras, showed the way by cleaning the surroundings around his residence.

A clean sweep

The clean up drive saw Bal Bhavan, Cubbon Park, JC Nagar, Banerghatta Zoo, Frazer Town, Jeevanbhimanagar and Hennur Road receive a facelift, thanks to the efforts of hardworking volunteers. Anonymous Indian, while pleased with the response drawn from their campaign ‘Reclaim Bengluru- It’s Yours’, still insist that they have miles to go before they sleep. This is the first of a series of citizen initiatives that they hope will transform the face of Bengaluru city and revive the pride of its citizens. “The campaign will continue for a couple of years but we want to see the results by the next Independence Day. We will continue till we achieve our goals”, say Ajesh and Myriam, initiators of the programme.

Grand Launch

On the 15th of August, arm yourself with broom, dustpan, gloves and a biodegradable plastic bag (trash bag) and step out of your house, your apartment building, your school or your office and collect all the scattered trash around it. Keep the collected trash neatly in the plastic bag, tie it properly, and leave it outside of your house/school/office or at the street corner.

We can only hope to realize our dream of a cleaner, greener Bengaluru when our message is heard and citizens take part in large numbers. The cause Let’s Clean Bengaluru is also promoted by Anonymous Indian with the support of other NGOs. For instance, Feet on Street is organising a run to create awareness about the cause. The Rotary Club too displays its socially responsibility by organizing related events among members in their respective districts.

Anonymous Indian organizes periodic ‘Clean up Drives’ across designated areas of the city. Volunteers who sign up join others in your neighbourhood as part of a community effort to clear up the garbage and litter in your area and beautify your locality. These drives have witnessed a wholehearted response from school and college students and other responsible citizens who have come forward enthusiastically to make a difference in their own individual capacity. These drives also present opportunities to build awareness and educate people about keeping their streets clean and not littering. We hope this movement becomes so contagious that every citizen in Bengaluru makes an effort to keep our beloved city clean.