By DR ARPITA SUBHADARSHINEE
“Ask not what your country can do for you — rather ask yourself what you can do for your country."- JOHN F KENEDDY
Today, the world is a home to the largest generation of the important drivers of global change and innovation i.e. the youth, contributing about 43% of the global population. A temper of will, quality of imagination, predominance of courage, appetite for adventure makes this huge cohort a vibrant, constructive force which can address global issues and create a more just, equitable and a peaceful world.
The empowered youth from diverse backgrounds like food to fashion to finance are the forerunners of assessment, awareness, action and advocacy for sustainable development. They are the main stakeholders, policy makers, powerful resource in handling responsibilities, revolutionizing fellow men and a catalyst for change.
From our mesmerizing landscapes to our rich heritage, from unique culture and diverse history to joyful festivals, India is a gorgeous amalgamation of traditions, languages, people and their way of living. Being a multi-cultural, multi-lingual and multi-religious society, India has been called as the golden sparrow which always believed in “Unity in Diversity“
India’s age old unique and incredible civilization speaks of unity is strength where the Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Muslims, Jains, Christians, Jews, Parses etc., live together in harmony, trust, love and brotherhood. It takes it pride from its 1.3 billion citizens who can have different perspective about life, religion, economy, politics, and yet belong to one nation, Bharat.
Everyone has a special appetite for the place they call their hometown. BHUBANESWAR, a lovely young growing city in Eastern India, that very ably preserves the balance of being one of the most culturally effervescent cities in India with a perfect blend of changing modernity on the other.
The various awards and recognitions to its name include first choice of the Ministry of Urban Development’s (MoUD) flagship Smart City project, top 20 global cities of the world in the Global Smart City Performance Index 2017, top 50 global smart cities in a survey by Singapore-based Eden Strategy Institute, 18th in the national Ease of Living Index, The best commercial hub in the world by WORLD BANK in 2014.
The City of Temples is the oxygen I breathe, the water I intake and the surrounding I dwell. Every Odia takes pride in its unique climate, diversity of cultures, Odia cuisines, monuments, people, famous dance form Odissi and the world famous car festival.
The various pan city initiatives like infrastructure, traffic and parking reforms, emergency response to disasters, digital payment through Common Payment Card System emerging IT, tourism, education hub, digital transport and e waste management have envisioned it as a smart city.
But the various grey areas include weak urbanisation and a faulty drainage system, increase in crime rate in past three years, naive stage of planning in terms of e- transport, challenge in terms of inadequate doctors, diagnostic centres, infrastructure and supply of free medicines, failure in the Swachh Survekshan process, inefficient sanitation, garbage collection and establishment of solid waste treatment plants, school drop outs and youth unemployment.
"If we make cities more efficient, we make the world more sustainable."
Are we, the citizens, not responsible for the betterment of our own country?
The simplified definition is an act of simple living with high thinking and intent on not harming environment and preventing as much harm from occurring to the environment. It is far beyond just good urban planning or stricter codes or just turning off lights or proper garbage recycling – it’s about changing the mindset of how we live.
Though none of the universally accepted definition exists, the various goals include environmental impact per person, renewability, public transport, green spaces and recycling programs that are ambitious yet attainable if done with regular progress reports.
1) CLEAN TOWN
Swacch Bharat, the cleanliness drive program, Initiated by our Honourable Prime Minister, aims to make India clean by 2nd of October 2019 marking the 150th birth anniversary of Bapu with mantra of “NA GANDAGI KARENGE, NA KARNE DENGE” (neither litter nor let others litter) has evoked a massive change in the country’s outlook and citizen’s attitude.
“Sanitation is more important than independence. I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet.” - Gandhiji
Devote 100 hours per year (2 hours per week) to voluntary work for cleanliness following the path of Shri Narendra Modi and ensuring others to devote too.
Use of 'SWACHHATA' app, a GOI initiative and portals like The Digital India campaign, ‘mygov.in’ and Chai Pe Charcha for addressing the Civic-related issue using our smart phone
A mandatory Percentage of the city should be allotted for plantation.
Bio friendly mobile toilets should be made at important junctions like bus stops, parks n markets.
Making education Smart through e-attendance, e-homework, e-Syllabus targeting paper free n bagless education.
School should add Green Practices as a subject encouraging habits like planting trees, using Bicycle and motivating people regarding solid and liquid waste management.
Bollywood’s initiative in the form of movie named “Toilet” highlighting the problems of rural women due to open defecation is highly appreciating
GO GREEN :
The dream of a ‘Green Prosperous India’ relies heavily on the focus on “education for sustainability and not about sustainability”.
Environmental green initiatives and camps like “Each one, plant one”, CLEAN-India, Namami Ganga Plan, Ralley for Rivers, and youth forums like Youth ki Awaz should be implemented.
Organising events and intercollegiate competitions in schools and colleges with posters, slogans and informative skits to inform them in a more engaging way rather than through textbooks.
Promotion of such events in social media and Raahgiri with observation of Earth Day and Environment Day.
3) SMARTER CONNECTIVITY:
Broader connectivity, social media, technology and instant communication has made the world a global village. This offers an accountable platform for sharing, identifying and challenging the existing powers and exposing the barriers to change.
The government services like The Digital India campaign, portals such as ‘mygov.in’, Chai Pe Charcha has helped in educating the older generation.
Smarter towns can help in developing smarter villages by e- services selling their Organic vegetables, handicrafts items (Veggie Cart)
Building of free wifi hotspot places at multiple locations in the town.
4)SMART TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS:
Every citizen wants a good quality, cheap, fast and pollution free transportation.
The sustainable public transportation system by city buses, trams and metro rails should use CNG in their vehicles.
The public bicycle system that is easy to use yet very healthy should be encouraged.
A stringent rule should be made to use public transport at least 3/4 days a week.
Extra green credits and wages to employees using cycles or green bikes must be given.
Implementation of road, rail and air connectivity in the state
5) SMART WASTE MANAGEMENT
Every city generates a million of e-Waste like discarded TV, Computer, Smartphone, battery etc posing threat to human health.
Recycling and reusing in an ecofriendly way without harming our ecosystem should be establised.
Smart sorting techniques of Degradable, Recyclable n Totally Waste items to prevent time and cost.
Gas supply should be supplied in pipelines and not cylinders.
6) SUSTAINABLE ENERGY RESOURCES:
The state government has identified the natural resources. So it is necessary to implement successful programmes to harness the natural resources
The local government should target for establishing solar panels in every household making solar energy as the chief source of energy.
Solar Power Panels should replace Mobile telecom towers run by Diesel Generators and must be made far from Hospitals, Schools etc
Power supply cables should be made underground avoiding accidents, minimising space and reducing costs of installation and making the city look spacious and Wire free.
6) At indivisual level : Charity begins at home.
Keeping own house and surroundings clean by using dustbins and planting trees around the house.
Awareness regarding use of toilets for defecation
Personal hygiene by hand washing and discouraging spitting.
Donating extra food without wasting it.
Avoiding non biodegradable products or plastic.
Using Public transportation.
Teach Children about Cleanliness and Sanitation.
The citizens should be more willing and active to extend full cooperation to the state government.Together the citizens can do wonders.
“Give me just one generation of youth, and I’ll transform the whole world." - Vladimir Ilyich Lenin
Youth act as critical thinkers with their energy, voice and actions. They have the capacity to identify and challenge the existing powers and expose the barriers to change. Being good communicators to their peers and communities at the grass root level, they make people aware and knowledgeable of the goals for active transition from MDG to SDG. They are an effective force by suggesting alternative concrete solutions through right to vote and encouraging people to advocate change in the political decisions. Youth voice matters!!
The dream of a ‘Green Prosperous India’ relies heavily on its empowered youth who are responsible social actors with the focus on “education for sustainability and not about sustainability”. Environmental practices like Swacch Bharat Abhiyan, green initiatives like “Each one, plant one”, environmental Camps such as CLEAN-India, Namami Ganga Plan and Ganga River Basin Management Plan and youth forums like Youth ki Awaz aim to reduce consumption and eliminate waste.
Organising events and intercollegiate competitions with posters, slogans and informative skits and promotion of such events in social media and Raahgiri with observation of Earth Day and Environment Day can engage the society. “Each One Teach One” program where each student imparts Disaster preparedness and eco friendly strategies to mitigate climate change to at least one individual of the society.
Youth activism bolstered by broader connectivity and social media, exposure to technology and instant communication has made the world a global village. This offer an accountable platform for sharing knowledge and eliminating pandemics. The electronic transmission of government services like The Digital India campaign, portals such as ‘mygov.in’, Chai Pe Charcha has brought government and citizens closer by educating the older generation.
Former President Dr. Zakir Hussain stated that, “Youth form the vanguard of the nation, which when properly channelized shall be instrumental for the development of the country”. With youth, comes vibrancy, and optimism. Yet a failure to invest, can lead to energy turned in destructive rather than constructive directions.
A Modern Youthful India!!!
United India is where-
Poverty and Illiteracy are history,
Education becomes the priority
Agriculture and Health work in symphony,
Women and Children live in harmony,
Wildlife, Heritage and Technology live with integrity
By DR ARPITA SUBHADARSHINEE
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