Sri Anjaneya Park in Vasanthanagar, where a huge heap of garbage was seen once, has received a facelift thanks to a group of volunteers and locals who took the initiative to restore it.
A neat periphery without the garbage, painted walls, birds chirping occasionally accompanied by the cheers of children best describes the neatly painted and fenced park now.
A team of 20 volunteers from ‘Kartavya’, a voluntary organisation, noticed the dilapidated condition of park. They saw liquor bottles, tea cups and garbage strewn all over and decided to shoulder the responsibility of cleaning the park.
Vinod S, assistant scientist in DRDO who is also one of the founding members of ‘Kartavya’ told Deccan Herald, “One of our team members noticed children playing outside the park. The reason was that the park was used to dump garbage. We also heard that some youth used the place for illegal activities.”
The team worked with the locals to give the park a new look. “Locals, especially children were extremely helpful. Even the local corporator made a promise that the park will be maintained and be used by children,” Vinod said.
Corporator Sampath Kumar said it would have been a lengthy process if he had tried to set it right. “We will have to estimate the amount required and then invite tender for the purpose. It is a long and tedious process. I helped them in getting the grills welded. Earlier, another NGO and students from Mount Carmel were involved in clearing the garbage. But within a few days, it used to return to its earlier condition. Even I have tried my best to solve the issue, but in vain.”
When asked about the measures taken this time to prevent garbage piling up in the park, he said, “We have given the responsibility to Vasanthanagara Yoga Samithi to conduct Yoga activities in the park. BBMP will be clearing the trash in the park on a daily basis."
Kartavya, which started off as a four-member group, is now an organisation having more than 40 members from different backgrounds who are working for a social cause. They have also donated 1,500 herbal plants, adopted an ashram called ‘Antharagange Rejuvenation and Rehabilitation Ashram’ which houses around 40 physically challenged or mentally retarded people, distributed 500 earthen plates to people and also implemented an initiative to save birds by providing them water.