Instilling civic awareness in the impressionable minds, is the most effective and productive way to spread change.
Keeping this in mind, the Children's Movement for Civic Awareness (CMCA) organised Inspiration 2009 in the City, an initiative primarily designed to raise awareness about the upcoming BBMP elections.
There is nothing quite like a sea of bright, enthusiastic, young faces to send the right message to our otherwise apathetic citizens. “Children are definitely powerful messengers of change,” said the organisers of the Children's Movement for Civic Awareness (CMCA) as they had celebrity cricketer Rahul Dravid flag off the event and along with the children, create awareness amongst passers-by and commuters on the role of the BBMP in our daily lives.
The children pointed out that voting for the ward councillor is the duty of every adult citizen in the City as is the importance of fulfiling one’s responsibilities and cooperating with the BBMP.
Littering, throwing garbage in drains and roads and cutting trees were some of the issues that the children also highlighted. Covering the footpath around Grant Road, Raja Ram Mohan Roy Road and around Kanteerava Stadium with slogans like “Make the BBMP work for you – vote in the BBMP Elections!” the children explained that a short walk to their neighbourhood booth to cast an informed vote will make a difference to the quality of services provided by the local government.
“We must cooperate and engage with our city government and if required, even confront the government through peaceful means to secure our right to a good quality of life in the City”, was the thrust of the campaign.
Over 1,000 children from the CMCA member schools formed a Vote for OUR Sake human chain to spread the message.
“The CMCA seeks to sensitise children to civic issues and democratic values. Through the chain, we want to create awareness on the role of the BBMP — how it affects our quality of life and the importance of voting in the municipal elections. It also teaches kids that peaceful assembly and working together as citizens is a healthy way of being involved in democracy and securing our rights,” said Vrunda Bhaskar, co-ordinator of CMCA.
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