Temshinaro
DIMAPUR, MAY 21
A group of young people forming a Christian youth group Gloria Patri ( Glory to the Father) continues on their initiative of cleaning Dimapur city. With a simple theme ‘cleanliness is good’, the youth has been cleaning the streets of Dimapur, aided by public members who dream of Dimapur as a greener and cleaner city.
The group started their initiative at the IMC hall on April 14. Prior to commencing the cleanliness drive, the church youth held a weeklong spiritual programme that included feeding some of the needier sections of the city.
Gloria Patri is currently engaged in cleaning the city’s main streets – a demonstration of their concern for the people of Dimapur to be able live in better and cleaner environments. The members of the group have been engaging in cleaning the city’s main areas every morning from 5 am to 7 am since May 1.
event is envisaged to be an eye opener for the people of Dimapur who mostly live in unhygienic conditions. The group also hopes to create awareness among the people of Dimapur to ‘breathe and live in healthier surroundings.’
Wapang, a leader of Gloria Patri, talked to Eastern Mirror Wednesday. He said that the present environments of Dimapur will one day result into a major concern if not addressed with seriousness. He referred to the careless and hygienic garbage disposal practices of citizens. The need for a sense of ownership in every individual is a necessity to ‘save Dimapur’ from becoming a major garbage dumping zone, he said.
Changes can be seen in and around Dimapur since the cleanliness drive. Even some auto rickshaw drivers opined that the town’s central areas appear cleaner than before.
‘Gloria Patri’ (‘Glory be to the father’) started off its mission with worship services. However, now they have ventured into a bigger area of engagement that seeks social changes alongside spiritual growth.
Wapang reiterated a quote: ‘If you are not cleaning, don’t dirty.’ The group has plans to meet the government departments of the district in this regard, he explained. ‘The increasing number of footpath vendors have become a concern,’ stated Wapang as an instance. He reminded that footpath meant for the public are being occupied by street vendors who not only occupy public space but also litter the place even more.
Through the one-month long worship and cleanliness drive, Gloria Patri hopes that a major difference would take place in the city, along with the participation of the public.
The participation of the public seems to be growing in number, both old and young. A young Angami girl aged 8 years old is said to be the youngest participant. She is said to have joined the cleanliness drive consecutively for 2 days.
Young school-going teenagers are also said to be taking part in the morning social work as well. They hurry back home for their school after the morning work. Likewise, concerned citizens, elders, church leaders and youths are said to be taking part actively.
On weekdays participants along with the organizers reach 40 while more than 70 people take part during weekends.
After completing the cleanliness drive, Gloria Patri plans to spread their worship events to Kohima and Mokokchung, while also focusing on social concerns.
