City schools to spearhead ‘Clean Mysuru' campaign

The Hindu

12 hours ago

In a renewed push to reclaim the city's reputation as India's cleanest, the 'Clean Mysuru Campaign 2025' is set to be launched, where schools will play a major role.
An initiative of the Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP), it will be launched on Monday, August 11, at 5 p.m., at BSS Vidyodaya, Krishnamurthypuram, Mysuru.
The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) is also collaborating with the initiative, in which 13 schools have evinced interest for participation. The programme aims to inculcate civic responsibility in schoolchildren and rally the city around cleanliness and public hygiene.
The MGP said that Mysuru was once ranked number one in the 'Swachh Survekshan', but its position has gradually slipped over the years. In the 2024 results of the 'Swacch Survekshan', Mysuru was included under the 'Super Swachh League Cities' category, but the MGP said that while the city is still among the top contenders nationally, stakeholders believe Mysuru must strive harder.
'We must ask ourselves — can we truly call Mysuru clean anymore?', questioned the MGP, drawing attention to indiscriminate garbage dumping during 'Ashada Masa' at Chamundi Hills, uncleared garbage in different parts of the city, and littering around the Palace premises.
The organisers said that the campaign places the spotlight on students as catalysts for behavioural change. At the launch, MCC Commissioner Sheikh Tanveer Asif and Assistant Executive Engineer Mruthyanjaya will join students to unveil bilingual posters (Kannada and English) promoting five key messages on cleanliness. Two messages will be at the core of the school campaign according to the MGP — students should not litter, and students should stop others from littering.
These posters will be displayed prominently in classrooms to serve as daily reminders, and the goal is to trigger a ripple effect from children to households and across communities — promoting practices such as waste segregation, reduced plastic usage, and responsible garbage disposal, the release said.
The organisers said it was imperative to correct the misconception that the city's cleanliness is solely the MCC's responsibility.
'Even a thousand pourakarmikas cannot keep the streets clean if we continue to litter indiscriminately.' according to the MGP. The new initiative also aligns with the National Education Policy's (NEP) emphasis on holistic development and civic sense among students, it said.
'While the strategy appears straightforward, its consistent implementation can have a tremendous long-term impact — inspiring not only children, but also adults to take their civic duties seriously, which include segregating waste, reducing plastic use, handing over garbage to MCC staff, and refraining from dumping waste on vacant lots or roadsides, the release added.
For additional information, the public may contact campaign coordinator Thanuja at 096861 87629.