DMC Administrator Manpai Phom (fourth from right) and others during the launching of Children, Youth & Civil Society Organizations Campaign 2023 held in AIDA centre on June 17.
Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 17
The Child Friendly Dimapur, an initiative of ANMA Integrated Development Association (AIDA) Don Bosco (SDB) Dimapur Province launched its Children, Youth & Civil Society Organizations Campaign 2023 with the theme ‘One step towards creating clean and safe environment for the children’ on June 17.
Gracing the inaugural programme held at AIDA conference hall, the special guest Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC), Administrator, Manpai Phom said, ‘for change to take place, one step matters a lot.’ He expressed regret that Naga society has become very individualistic. “We are not concern about the town or what is happening outside,” he said while referring to the flooding situation in Dimapur. The flood did not mark any jurisdiction or differences but it affected everyone, he cited.
The only solution for improvement is sharing responsibilities and partnership, and the need for the government, stakeholders and the public to go in a unison direction. ‘There is a need to relook at the current system. Without change of the mindset and understanding, we cannot provide the solution,’ he stated. The DMC administrator also said that the garbage disposal and collection system needs a new plan so that the issues are addressed efficiently. “We are trying o come up with various things and the support of the Gaon Buras, wards, colony council is very important,” he urged.
On the need to rethink the garbage collection system, Phom said that DMC staff starts their daily duty by 3:00-4:00 am. “No matter how much garbage is collected, there is still more because the open spaces and drainages are filled with waste,” he stated. Now we have the traffic problem. The bigger trucks for garbage collection cannot remain on the roads after 8:00 am due to heavy traffic. It needs alternative solutions, he stated.
The DMC administrator also highlighted the concern of wet waste management. “We are in the process of coming up with a system, targeting to achieve the change in the system,” he said. Phom also disclosed that the DMC will soon resume its campaign in schools with focus on MLPs (Multi Layered Plastics).
Despite all these challenges, Phom said, “We are not discouraged. At the end of the day, the support from the civil societies and individuals, we will raise above the issues.” He added, “We are taking all this for the future. One step towards change in our behaviour can make the difference.”
Speaking on the role of youth towards creating clean and safe environment for children, Mhonjan Humtsoe, President, Team Better Dimapur emphasised on the need to inculcate and cultivate civic sense.
“It starts with civic sense. Let’s not wait for the government, district administration or someone else to do what we can do. We should do something, and then we can tell the authority to do it. When we become an example for others, we create a chain of community participation,” he asserted.
GHSS Singrijan, Principal P Aienla Longkumer spoke on the role of institution towards creating clean and safe environment for children. She shared on some key roles such as the Physical environment, health and sanitation, safety policies and procedures, child protection, collaboration and partnership, education and awareness.
“Since all the children spends atleast 5-6 hours in school almost five days a week, i.e. 30 hours per week. It is the responsibility of the institution and every stakeholder involved in it to create a safe school environment,” she stated.
On the role of media towards creating clean and safe environment for children, Akangjungla, Director, News & Administration, The Morung Express said that everything must start from the individual and the community.
“Media plays a significant role in forming and influencing people’s approach and behaviour. It has the power to draw attention to issue and concerns in our context. But for media to effectively and positively influence the general public, professionals and political responses to the issues and state of affairs, it needs the support of the government, organizations and individuals at different levels,” she said.
“Clearly, the perceived power of the media can advocate on behalf of the children, but, it might be proven unproductive unless we all come together as a community,” she affirmed.
About the campaign
Children, Youth & Civil Society Organizations campaign is a set of activities where Child Rights Club, Youth Organization, Civil Society organizations and Community leaders with the support of duty bearers comes together once a year to run a common campaign in Dimapur and Chümoukedima, by selecting one child related issue that is of concern for the city.
This campaign is scheduled to be carried out from June till September 2023. Through this campaign, Child Friendly Dimapur envisions to reach out to atleast 700 people (inclusive of children, youth and adults) who will be actively involved in organizing as well as implementing the campaign.
