Keeping Gangtok Clean, One kilometer at a time

GANGTOK, 15 Apr: Students of 14 junior schools across Gangtok today participated in the 1 km initiative under Engage 14 organised by Gangtok Municipal Corporation and 24Hours Inspired. The students spent an hour spreading awareness about cleanliness amongst the public in an area of 1 km.

A press release informs that the 1 km initiative is focused on assisting young children practice the aspect of keeping Gangtok clean and also practically applying the aspect of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. It believes that if each one of us takes care of the 1 kilometer within our living and working habitat, Gangtok would be the cleanest place to live in. 

Speaking on the initiative, Commissioner, Gangtok Municipal Corporation, Anil Raj Rai stated, “Engage Quiz generated great interest among the students to contribute towards making Gangtok cleaner. What we were also able to do through that platform was to provide the young minds a theoretical perspective about Solid Waste Management and the aspect of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

The 1 km initiative is the practical application of the content that they have been made aware of. The initiative helped them see the ground reality of their areas and also provided them an opportunity to engage with their immediate vicinity to make a positive difference in their own special ways.”

Speaking about the experience of the 1 km initiative, Principal, Ashmita Vidhya Mandir said, Ganesh Karki said, “The students were very excited to participate in the program and to spread the word about keeping our environment clean and green to the local residents. The students also felt proud because this time it was the young teaching the elders about cleanliness. After the elections, we will be organizing a program for the students and parents to clean the area between Ranka Zero and Amdo Golai.”

“Every school was highly enthused to participate in this initiative. We have been told that the students really enjoyed the process and also were excited to continue this initiative and make it a calendar event for the school”, says Chief Learning Officer, 24hours Inspired, Dewaker Basnet.

The fourteen schools that participated in this initiative are - Lumsey Junior High School, Sa-Vellie Row School, North Point School, Neil Tara Academy, Mickey’s International School, Happy Hours School, Burtuk Junior High School, Lower Burtuk School, Ashmita Vidhya Mandir, Joybells School, Gurukul Academy, Manjushree Public School, Annes Home School, Lingding Junior High School, the release informs.

Engage 14 is a three-phase intervention with Engage Quiz for junior school students, Engage Discussion for Secondary school students and Engage Race for Senior Secondary Students.