BHARATI PAWASKAR
Mission clean India has been ruling the psyche of the entire country these days. It has motivated the citizens to embark upon cleanliness campaign and reach the desired goal by October 2, 2019. Irrespective of the differences within diverse cultures of this country, every individual and institution is marching towards the goal of cleanliness.
Calangute, the most popular beach in North Goa has witnessed many beach cleaning campaigns in the past. These include the GTDC cleaning drives, spreading of awareness through music by tourists and visitors as well as the cleaning work by the vigilant volunteers of ‘Dristhi Marine’ and ‘Dristhi Lifesaving.’ Many such voluntary and charitable organisations along with citizens are now stepping forward to accept the responsibility of keeping the surroundings clean.
“It is with this spirit and commitment that we have joined the bandwagon of cleanliness champions. ‘Clean Calangute, Clean Goa’ is a project initiated by Tito’s Foundation,” informs Ricardo Joseph De Souza, managing director, Tito’s Resorts and Hospitality Pvt Ltd. Tito’s Foundation is a charity group of Tito’s Resorts and Hospitality. Founded by Ricardo alias Ricky and led by Diana Lobo and Fabiano De Souza, the foundation has initiated various charitable works over the decades. Committed towards a cleaner, greener and shining Calangute, the cleaning campaign will begin at 3.30 pm on May 30. The participants will be assembling at two points - St Anthony’s shack, Baga beach end and Goan Heritage (Beach Side), Gauravaddo, Calangute beach.
“We appeal all those who reside or work here to come together for Clean Calangute campaign,” asks Fabian De Souza from Calangute. He has appealed the locals not to quarrel with the tourists for littering and instead to resolve the issue of garbage, amicably. The complete Calangute beach stretch will be divided into five parts, a group will be assigned each part and meeting point banners will be put up on May 28. Dristhi volunteers and Panchayat staff will accompany these groups. Members from Tito’s Foundation and other organisations will walk from Baga to Calangute to identify places that need more attention and manpower.
Sharing Tito’s Foundation’s upcoming project in June, Fabian deliberates, “We will be kick-starting a tree plantation drive in June. It is our responsibility to beautify the gardens in our locality. Cleaning only for a day is not enough; we must continue this drive through schools, corporate and social institutions. Children and youth can be our best ambassadors.”
“People must come forward to keep their own areas clean. For this campaign we would include all those who come forward willingly to contribute their share. Changing the mind-set of the people is important for their continual support,” feels another resident from Calangute, Aaron De Souza.
The local panchayat is playing a major role in the cleaning campaign. Shawn Martins, sarpanch, Calangute Panchayat opines, “It is the beach that’s the lifeline of Calangute. Cleaning of Calangute beach is being regularly done, thanks to the enthusiastic citizens and organisations here. Dristhi is doing a commendable job on the beach and we appreciate it. But if monsoons swipe the garbage from the beach into the sea, we must control it by cleaning the backside of the shacks where piles of trash keep collecting. This garbage is not visible since it is hidden behind the shacks on the beachside. It is this waste that needs to be cleaned so that it doesn’t get washed out in the sea. There is no point in playing the blame game.”
Several other initiatives are taken for the first time. The campaign is supported by the Villagers of Calangute, Shree Shantadurga Sansthan, North Goa Tourist Taxi Owners Association, Fishermen Association, Rent a Car Association, St Savio Sports Club, Shree Thoteshwar Temple, Samrat Club, Shack Owner’s Association and Water Sports Operators.
“Cleanliness is next to Godliness. Let’s not forget this. It is very important to clean the ecology and the surroundings around us so that we are blessed with positive energy. It all begins from home. The parents should teach their children at home how to keep everything neat and clean. Similarly, teachers in school should take up this topic seriously and teach kids the importance of cleanliness. I have a request for the tourists who visit my homeland, to respect the place you visit and not to litter it. Let’s not throw the trash and garbage in our fields and roadsides in Goa,” appeals designer Hema Nagvekar, a local resident.
