The Hindu 13.07.2009
CMCA promises a better city, a better citizenry
Special Correspondent| The movement has received a boost in the district with greater school participation |
Enthusiastic: Children lighting a lamp signalling the start of CMCA’s work, in Mysore on Friday.
MYSORE: The Children’s Movement for Civic Awareness (CMCA), a joint venture of the Public Affairs Centre (PAC), Bangalore, and the Mysore City Corporation (MCC), detailed its action plan for 2009-10 here on Friday. The movement has received a wide response ever since it began.
What began as an initiative involving students from 40 schools last year, will now witness participation of 60 schools during the current academic year. At the core of the CMCA movement is a strong belief that children are powerful messengers of change and hence such innovative programmes will help ensure better management of civic affairs. The movement began in Bangalore where the PAC joined hands with Swabhimana to promote civic consciousness among citizens, through children.
The concept was introduced in Mysore in 2008-09. Children participated in programmes relating to environmental awareness, tree plantation, survey on solid waste management, traffic rule awareness, health and hygiene and global warming among others.
A significant feature of the CMCA movement in Mysore was its role in spearheading a campaign for a more eco-friendly Ganesha festival, during which the idols of the deity are painted with chemical colours, which affect the ground water when immersed. The activists of the movement pleaded for installation of eco-friendly idols that were devoid of chemical paints. They also sought the use of clay idols as an alternative.
If the feedback from participating educational institutions is any indication, the movement should help groom children into citizens with a high sense of social responsibility.