Ramanand Kowta
As Project Director with GARBAGE CONCERN- NGO, I visit schools to sensitise them on the urgent issues ,in particular like Garbage Disposal \ Mngt., Water Coservation. AND a host of other topics included in the EVS syllabus( with field trips and demo models). We are actively working with the Municipal Corp.of Greater Mumbai in the slums - under their Slum Adoption Scheme. Corporates like HSBC, J. P. Morgan adopt Wards as part of their CSR. We sensitise the locals about sanitation and hygiene and set up Vermiculture Demo units. You can certainly visit one such site - transformed from a filthy garbage dump area into a clean picnic spot ! Some visitors equated it to a pilgrimage ! We also cover the crucial issues of Conservation and Reuse of Resources - water - sewage, rainwater harvesting, solar energy for heating and power and recycling of debris into useful construction material.
In addition to the above, I am also personally involved in the following activities
I have worked ( and still do on an assignment basis ) with TRIDHA - a Rudolf Steiner school as a gardening and FARMING teacher. Last year I was with the pupils (26) of Class 3, for 5 days at a farm in Panvel, We ' transplanted ' rice seedlings, ploughed the soil and cleaned it -of stones- big and small and planted seeds of vegetables. A truly moving ' learning experience 'for ALL- pupils, teachers, parents AND the native helpers ' sons of the soil' who were amazed at the pick axe wielding skills of these tiny urban kids ! WHY this exercise ? ask the parents. ' Bacchhon ko Aatey Daal ka Keemat Ya Bhaav Pata Chal Jaata Hai ! ' would be my reply.These kids eat a meal- fully produced by their own efforts. Isn't ' paapee pet ka sawaal' the basis of all economic activity. This ensures much needed ' grounding' - even for the urban adults (keen ?). This is LEARNING by DOING and not by reading, watching ' Nat Geo, Discovery' or by a FARM VISIT !
Can we do this exercise with all other schools AND also with collegians and adults ? I am ready to guide such an urgently needed effort !
- I also specifically emphasise the Ecological basis of all rites, customs, fasts, feasts AND Religious Festivals- by de mystifying the symbolisms in the mythological stories.
NAMASTE – BALANCE ( ‘tween the Opposites ) – SUSTAINABILITY – MANAGEMENT !
ph 25637996, 9892910023
Contact email: xxxx@mycleanindia.com where xxx is ram.hey.anand @ gmail.com