On Sunday, Jan. 4, there was more activity than usual in the Valmiki Nagar beach early in the morning. People could be seen bending down and picking up waste from the sand and throwing them into large plastic bags.
The day, Jan. 4 was ´Beach Cleaning Day.´ The event was organised by VAREWA (VAlmiki Nagar REsidents Welfare Association). The residents were informed of the beach cleaning programme by VAREWA through email. A large group of people assembled in the beach and were provided with a pair of disposable gloves and a plastic bag. People of all age groups took part. The youngest member was probably Kalyani, a six year old girl. There were also people who were in their seventies. The volunteers spread out in all directions along the beach and set about cleaning it. The waste materials were put into the black plastic bags provided to them. Two trucks belonging to Neel Metal Fanalca had been summoned. The bags containing the waste were collected and put in the trucks of the garbage cleaning company.
The event was very well organised. Refreshing lemonade was given to the volunteers along with tasty sandwiches. Spirits were running high among the volunteers.
One VAREWA member stated, ¨We did not think that so many people would volunteer. There are far more people helping out with the cleaning than we expected!¨ The whole Valmiki Nagar community seemed to be taking part enthusiastically in the project. Another member of VAREWA, a senior citizen, added encouragingly, ¨This beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. If we the residents of Valmiki Nagar can´t enjoy it, then who can? Let´s all do our best to keep the beach neat and clean.¨
The community wants beach cleaning projects to be organised at least once a month to maintain the tidiness of the beach.
For more information about VAREWA, one can visit their website at www.varewa.wikidot.com Any suggestions and comments can be mailed to varewa2006@yahoo.com.