The Deputy Commissioner, Smt Aashika Jain, chaired the award giving ceremony of the Sustainability Leaders Program that involved 1200 school students in eight weeks of a structured internship in solid waste management and skill development. Dr Naresh Kumar, Assistant Director, Swacch Bharat Mission, Punjab, Smt Kiran Sharma, Joint Commissioner MC Mohali, Smt Ginni Duggal, District Education Officer, and the nodal teachers from 20 government schools were present at the committee room in the District Administrative Complex, Mohali.
I gave a detailed presentation on the 8-week program activities which engaged students for 2-hours per week. I had conducted webinars and talks on Sustainable waste management practices, problem solving, story-telling, poster-making, digital and public speaking skills. Municipal Corporation had organised field visits for students to understand source segregation of waste, horticulture waste composting, recycling activities at the RMC, and the Cowdung waste management. The students had attended sessions, submitted assignments, made posters, told stories, learnt making power-point presentations and delivered them in public speaking sessions. The program website provided resources, blogs, exercises, and videos, even displays students’ work. https://sustainableleaders1.wixsite.com/sustainabilityleader About 100 College students had volunteered to mentor school participants. In the final round, the students were given certificates and the best-performing 6-10 students received prizes. The school prizes given today were based on the overall students’ performance, community outreach and the school's compliances like maintenance of two dustbins, onsite waste composting and incinerator for disposing sanitary waste.
Govt Senior Sec Schools Khizrabad, Hoshiarpur and 3B1 evening Schools were awarded Golden, Silver and Bronze Awards respectively. Besides, six other Best sustainability Awards were given for Skills in Writing, Creativity, Communication, Community Outreach, Innovation and Initiatives to GSSS Kurdi awarded, GHS Mauli Baidwan, GHS Mattaur, GSSS Mundho Sangtian, GHS Boothgarh and GSSS Singhpura respectively. Myself as the program leader and Smt Preeti Bansal, the District Coordinator teacher were felicitated in recognition of their excellent services. The Nodal teachers were given certificates and they shared that the program was very helpful and must be expanded to all the school students every year. Dr Naresh expressed appreciation and that many Municipal bodies across the Punjab State have conducted field visits of thousands of students and so the program is all set to extend to them and beyond.
Initiated by the District Environment Committee on August 21, 2023, the Sustainability Leaders Program engaged students in solid waste management practices, while enhancing their critical thinking skills, creativity and public speaking skills. My sincere gratitude to the wonderful team of all the 20 school Principals and nodal teachers in-charges guided by the worthy leadership and support system of District Administration cum Environment Committee led by Smt Aashika Jain IAS, DC Mohali, Smt Navjot Kaur Commissioner, Municipal Corporation (MC), Mohali, Smt Ginni Duggal, District Education Officer (DEO), Mohali, Smt.Kiran Sharma Joint Commissioner, MC, Mohali, Dr.Puran Singh, Director Solid Waste Management (SWM) Punjab Municipal Infrastructure Development Company (PMIDC) Punjab, Dr.Naresh Kumar, Assistant Director, SWM, PMIDC, Punjab, S. Angrej Singh (Deputy DEO), Mr.Karan, Information Assistant PMIDC, Ms.Vandana & Ms.Arzoo the field visit organisers.
Thanks to one and all for making this program successful.
Though this project officially culminates today but let us continue this journey till we learn to manage our waste like other living beings of the EARTH who have zero footprint.
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