It is a pleasure, indeed a privilege to meet Mr. Sievituo Solo again. This time not on his cycle geared as a cyclist but on the sidewalks near Kohima War Cemetery with some young friends picking up trashes, pet-bottles and cleaning blocked drainages.
What draws me and my friend to this group were their Blue T-Shirts and apron, all similar in style, gloves, gumboots and bin-bags in hand. Their work will be done long before the citizens of Kohima wakes and the cars begin to queue! That was on 11th Aug 2015, while I and a friend/colleague Medokul Sophi were on our way to meet another colleague in town. How unusual the sight! All dressed in T-shirt with the caption “PROJECT 72 HRS”, so early when the day is hardly breaking. We stopped our car, more out of curiosity, and walked towards their direction. We greeted them, a little awkwardly, and strike a conversation followed by volleys of queries. It was like, through which department or NGO’s this initiatives/Project is been undertaken? Were they beneficiaries of any funding for undertaking this task? Etc etc.It was then this guy in dreadlocks appears. Yes! I have seem that dreadlocks before, perhaps two years ago. But that’s a different story which I will come back later.
With much passion, as usual, he explain in great details how “PROJECT 72 HRS” a community based service was conceived together with few like-minded friends like Wati, from Midland, Kohima. This initiative he said seeks to replicate what youngster in other countries does as a means of social services by way of cleaning and planting trees for a hazard-free environmental zone. He feels it is worth emulating in our state too. As observed by him during his world- Tour on cycle, he is well- assured that with commitment, the same can be achieved in our land. Not only has these enthusiastic and concerned young minds took upon themselves the challenges to create a similar initiative which will not only give a clean facade to the capital town, though for a while, but seek to instill and make other young minds inculcate the concept of “Dignity of Labour”. Creating awareness on Civic sense, tapping the resources of the youth in community services for a cleaner and greener environment. These and more, I presume, are areas of their concern. To sum up they seem to ask how environmentally we are responsible for our action or lack of it. We were further informed that they have already completed 58 hours of cleaning! They happily announced that few concern citizens have joint them in their endeavour too and expressed gratitude to the Kohima Municipal Council (KMC) team for their assistance and co-operation.
As for me, I left the place impressed and inspired. Sanitation, Public health and proper waste management are a major issue that requires collective efforts. How brave the team is to make a beginning!
The meeting was worthwhile, encouraging indeed. More so at an age when everyone is busy trying to create wealth and assets disregarding the very tenet of our existence- our Environment – Where we even ignore, lest stand and appreciate those who tirelessly strive for it. Meeting these environmental enthusiasts and being enlightened by them was really a breath of fresh, crisp air!
Coming back to those dreadlocks. If my memory don’t play truant and if he could recollect too, I met this passionate but unassuming adventurer while I myself was on a political tour two years back (or more?) between Tobu and Changlangshu. Seeing a young cyclist in his part of the state where the terrains are not so favourable for such trip held me back to stop my vehicle and inquire. I stopped my vehicle a little ahead of them (a certain adventure club was trailing behind him and form part of his entourage). It was a brief stopover and in the course of our conversation I came to know that he is from Kohima Village of T.Khel. From the way he articulate his cycling mission, his purpose for such a risky adventure and his zeal to create awareness, motivate and inspire other young minds about our land, our culture and our environment etc, lingers with me long after I bade goodbye, but not before handing him some few bananas!. Much latter I have read more about his mission and adventures here and abroad from the local dailies. How often do we come across such firm convictions? They continue to awe us and not easily forgotten, and that’s why I easily recognised that hairstyle too!
On my part I have been fortunate to be chosen as one of the Brand Ambassador under the Swachh Bharat Mission by the Honourable Governor of Nagaland. What this young group does is something very close to the mission we have been assigned to. So while congratulating the team for the wonderful and remarkable job, it is a fervent appeal and reminder to everyone that mere congratulation to this team is not enough. There is more to be done by every responsible citizen. The hard- hit lessons I learnt that morning is, they have taken the responsibility of everyman without complaining. To espouse a cause of this nature deserve support and appreciation from everyone.
Like me and my friend that fateful morning, few passerby and motorist may have noticed them too. Let us in our most humble way respect and appreciate such noble and commendable action by being conscious/ cautious of how we dispose and manage our waste and how far can it be re-cycled. Make sure our children at the back-seat do not throw their sweet and chips wrapper from the car window while we drive! Make sure we do not throw the pet-water bottle from car window after diluting it with our daily dose while riding with friends! Make sure our ladies at home does not tie the daily waste generated into a poly bag and disposed it at every possible empty space and public drains, for that matter streams and rivulets nearby our home ! Make sure we don’t spit or answer nature calls on all possible walls and public places! Remember, we have enough space at our backyard to manage our waste. For those living in flats and tenements you have designated municipal waste dumping place to do so.
Lastly, to those guys in Apron and Blue T-Shirts, the “PROJECT 72 HRS” team. Hats off guys! Great Job! God Bless! Until then, keep inspiring. May your tribe increase!!
