Dimapur Municipal Council’s multi-layered project to cleanse town

S Henlly Phom
Dimapur, August 3 (EMN): The Dimapur Municipal Council has charted out a determined plan to keep Dimapur town ‘clean, green and healthy’ in a series of programmes that is collectively dubbed as “A Better Dimapur” – launched on June 1 last, that also aims to change the mindset of the people by involving the community in the programme.
A brainchild of the Dimapur Municipal Council’s latest administrator, Moa Sangtam, the movement will continue in a phased-manner over a six-month period and hopes to garner the support of all the citizens of Dimapur.
Sensitisation of young people forms the core of the project and likewise the DMC has collaborated with Team Clean Dimapur, Team Green Dimapur and Healthy Dimapur. Besides these groups, Act of Kindness (AoK) and new addition Dismantling Team, which was inducted by DMC on July 31 last, have also joined the movement.
In the words of Sangtam: “For too long, we have heard the people groan, for too long we have remained complacent. With things seeming to be crumbling all around, many have virtually given up, without sparing the choicest words for those perceived to be responsible.
“The situation, though, seems to have brought some blessings along with it, there are those who sought to push beyond the negativity and find the answers within themselves. Today, simple acts of love for the land provide a ray of hope, from there begins the vision of a better Dimapur”.
‘A Better Dimapur’ which is a community-based movement for a cleaner, greener and healthy Dimapur aims to promote civic responsibility among the community, and therefore the municipal council is encouraging residents to participate through the DMC’s cleanest colony competition which is in full swing since last July.
The competition will be judged by a panel of experts from various fields who will narrow down the prospects each successive month till November this year – when the cleanest colony will be declared.
The cleanest colony winner will receive Rs. 1, 00,000 cash while the 1st and 2nd runners-up will receive Rs. 30,000 and Rs. 20,000 respectively.
“While these awards will be rewarding enough, the long-term goal is to encourage a sense of responsibility in the public as the biggest stakeholder of the society. The noble initiative has the potential for a powerful mass movement that can create wave in other parts of our land”, shared the DMC chief.
The first phase of ‘A better Dimapur’ will culminate in November this year, and after a careful assessment of the first phase, the second phase will be launched.
The later-phase will be launched by January next year, thus maintaining the chain through active participation of a more diligent community.
The DMC has partnered with the following like-minded groups towards achieving its vision:
Team Green Dimapur: Formed by eight core members from varied professions, the team has supported the DMC’s ‘A Better Dimapur’ initiative through ‘cleaning and beautification’ drives. The team’s underlining philosophy is to systematically increase the green cover in public spaces with aesthetic planning and to revamp old structures. The team’s work began at the Clock Tower garden on May 22 last, where 58 saplings and ornamentals were planted.
Funded by the DMC, around 450 golden pines have been planted along the dividers from Hotel Tragopan to KFC eatery. Further, paint-work from the Clock Tower to Plaza Point has been supervised by the members. The team is committed to continue working closely with the district administration and the DMC in the hope of making Dimapur cleaner, greener and more beautiful.
Team Clean Dimapur: A group that was conceived in March, and has gained recognition and momentum recently with constructive initiatives for the city, ‘Team Clean Dimapur’ is a conglomeration of social media users especially the Naga Discussion Forum.
With humble beginnings of distributing portable dustbins around the commercial centre, the team’s Clean Dimapur campaign has captured the imagination of a younger demography and has many cheering for them. From conducting cleanliness and plantation drives and fixing upgraded dustbins along public places, the town has definitely been given a facelift. This spirited team has become a vital component of the ‘Better Dimapur’ banner of the DMC.
Team Healthy Dimapur: This team emerged as a result of collaboration between the DMC and the CMO’s office and the National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme. Comprising five staff of the DMC, their work started with the launch of ‘A Better Dimapur’ project. This team is tasked with controlled use of chemical sprays to ensure vector control in and around Dimapur.
Act of Kindness (AoK): Formed in 2015 to impact Dimapur city through acts of kindness, its purpose is ‘to move people’s hearts with love’, build a sense of ownership of our land, and encourage social responsibility and dignity of labour among the Dimapur populace.
Some projects initiated by Act of Kindness include renovation of the labour room at the District Hospital Dimapur, installation of solar plant for GPS, Kevijau Colony, outreach programmes and conduct of medical camps at orphanages, setting up the blessing box, filling up of potholes to name a few.
The team is now working with DMC for A Better Dimapur. Their works to filling potholes and blacktopping of roads under Dimapur municipality will carry after the monsoon, informed Sangtam.
Dismantling Team: A resourceful addition for A Better Dimapur project, this group was inducted into the movement by DMC on June 31 last. A ten-member team, these young men will help in removing age-old hoardings, dilapidated signboards and unsightly posters and stickers that ‘defile’ the city’s image, highlighted Sangtam.
“It is time to do our bit. It is time to rise to the occasion. It is time to show up for our land. It is time to ‘be the change’. A cleaner, greener and healthier Dimapur beckons”, challenged Sangtam.