Alappuzha: These 11 lower primary school kids of Pallickal Naduvilemuri LP school launched their anti-garbage awareness campaign six months back. They have now become harbingers of change.
Their street play Malinavatharam (embodiment of dirtiness), started in September, is a lesson for not only local people but also the authorities.
It was adjudged ‘campaign of excellence’ at sub-district level, and secured selection to the district Eedufest to be held next month.
School headmistress Lekshmikutty Pillai said the children had also been on the project of collecting details of dying paddy fields early this academic year. “They, in fact, made us realise the lack of awareness among people on waste management at the source,” she said.
“Following this, we sought the support of like-minded people to train them. The group has performed on almost all streets in Pallickal area and now many schools have invited them to present the play.” The 30-minute long Malinavatharam highlights different levels of garbage disposal without allowing them to pile up. “"It mainly tells about the danger of leftover materials strewn in public places and holistic ways to handle it,” she said.
The programme has already covered at least five schools in the sub-district. It was a tough challenge to get the kids trained. Butt they are now capable enough to do justice to characters assigned to them.
“"It's a good experience,” said Ananthakrishnan, a Class IV student and team captain. “We practiced it in September with the help of local social activist Pallickal Sivarajan. I got an opportunity to join my friends for a noble cause.”
