Shillong, Oct 20: With the understanding that any initiative to clean Shillong, and keep it clean, needs to be community-driven, the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills, launched the ‘Shillong My Passion’ (SMP) project in September 2019.

Shillong My Passion sought to encourage a collective effort among the citizens of Shillong to take responsibility for waste management, the use of plastics and the cleanliness of their surroundings, with the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma leading by example at the launch event three years ago.

A few months later, however, the Covid-19 pandemic struck and the project’s progress was halted as the state government and district administration’s energies were devoted to the new and immediate challenge. Now that the situation has returned to near normal, the district administration, through the efforts of Deputy Commissioner Isawanda Laloo, on Thursday restarted Shillong My Passion with a variety of competitions that aim to engage with the population across a range of age groups to promote social and behaviour change (SBC).

Clean Pitch Challenge

For the 18-35 age group, Shillong My Passion has launched a ‘Clean Pitch Challenge’ for the public to put forward their ideas and concepts that will help clean the environment. Any Individual or group of individuals within the above age group can register and submit proposals, with a maximum of two proposals per candidate.

The challenge encourages participants to dream big and develop a sustainable platform that can be replicated across the state, country and the globe, which is in keeping with the State Government’s belief that Meghalaya’s youth have the potential to be world-changers.

The winning pitch should advocate strong, environment-friendly behaviour among the youth, promote positive behaviour on waste management, provide a platform for green-clean ideas and personalities to blossom and create a trend on responsible thinking in society.

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

For those between 16 and 18 years old, Shillong My Passion has opened up a campaign to ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’ in schools. Those interested are to form mini-clubs of between three and 15 members that will put into practice the 3Rs Principle in their day-to-day lives, be it at home, school or in their neighbourhoods. To participate in the competition, each mini-club should take a video or photo of its members using recycled materials and upload these on social media while tagging @shillongmypassion and using the hashtag #shillongmypassion. Winners will be chosen through a combination of public engagement and the judgement of a select jury.

Best out of Waste project

The ‘Best out of Waste project’ is one that brings together youngsters and their parents in a fun yet collaborative way. This is an age where objects and possessions are discarded without a second thought, only for more to be bought and accumulated. With the environmental crisis our world is facing, it is absolutely necessary to inculcate the practice of reusing, recycling and upcycling in Shillong’s children.

This project encourages parents to upload videos or photos of themselves and their children working on such activities, upload these on social media while tagging @shillongmypassion and using the hashtags #shillongmypassion and #bestoutofwaste.

Examples of such activities include making a pen stand out of a cardboard packet, potpourri out of fruit peels, candles out of crayons, decorations out of bottles or even a creative bottle planter. Winners will again be chosen through a combination of public engagement and the judgement of a select jury. For more information regarding the activities, visit the Shillong My Passion website www.shillongmypassion.in and follow SMP on social media platforms like Instagram@shillongmypassion and [email protected]

Operation Clean Up

Thursday’s event also saw two other Shillong My Passion activities launched to engage stakeholders.

‘Operation Clean Up’ will work with various communities through the Dorbar Shnongs in Nongrah, Lapalang and Umpling to take forward the cleaning, rejuvenating and protection of water bodies in these areas.

SMP has also collaborated with HYPE – Helping Young People Entertainment, the organisers of HILLS Festival 2022 to make the event eco-friendly while also raising awareness about waste management among the attendees.