‘Fenko Matt’ campaign for garbage-free city

A “Fenko Matt” campaign has been launched by four women in Sainikpuri and Vayupuri areas of the city, which has acquired quite a support from cleanliness enthusiasts.

The idea emerged as none was willing to safely and properly dispose of their household or office refuse despite occasional beautification drives. Empty plots, drains, and roadside corners turned out to be dumping yards for all kinds of refuse.

Though municipality has put into service garbage collectors, many households avoided them on pretext of the need to pay them or their visits being too early and at an inconvenient time.

This led to four women from different backgrounds start a campaign “Fenko Matt”, the English translation of these Hindi words being “don’t throw garbage”. The drive started three years ago but is currently concentrating only in Sainikpuri, Vayupuri and surrounding areas. The campaign involves sensitising youth, apart from involving school and college students, so that garbage gets thrown in designated places or is handed over to garbage collectors.

Medha Naniwadekar, who initiated the programme four years back, says “Eighty percent of even educated youth throw trash on streets and their sur

● THE IDEA emerged as none was willing to safely and properly dispose of their household or office refuse despite occasional beautification drives. Empty plots, drains, and roadside corners turned out to be dumping yards for all kinds of refuse.

● THOUGH MUNICIPALITY has put into service garbage collectors, many households avoided them on pretext of the need to pay them or their visits being too early and at an inconvenient time.

roundings. They do not even realise that they are littering. We created self awareness within them and also educated them about not turning a blind eye when others are doing so. Our campaign is to make the city clean and litterfree.”

Meena Ravindran, a founder member of the campaign, has recently retired from the Department of Atomic Energy. She is now into fulltime community service. “We visit various areas, analyse the issue and interacted with locals, shopkeepers, vendors and garbage collectors. This has brought in a great change and our areas are cleaner,” she maintained.

The other team members Vijaya Naidu and Lela Shishta, who are also quite active in the “Fenko Matt” campaign. In certain areas, CCTV cameras have also installed to penalise those throwing garbage.