Clean Inside - Clean Outside
Mumbai, the commercial capital of India faces a serious problem in terms of public hygiene. Every public space is splattered with stains and litter on the streets besides the odd pile of debris and garbage. The Greater Mumbai Cleanliness & Sanitation Bye Laws 2006 formed the basis for the campaign "Clean Inside-Clean Outside". The Byelaws have a provision to fine citizens who engage in spitting, littering and other nuisances in public spaces.
Since there is a shortage of Nuisance Directors MCGM (Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai) took up an innovative step to authorize enlisted Clean-Up Marshals from security agencies to fine the citizens. However the Mumbaites are fairly rude to the Clean-Up Marshals and resist paying the fines. Therefore there was a need to create an awareness campaign to stop people from littering, spitting or urinating in public places.
In order to support the drive as well as help the Clean-Up Marshals, MCGM introduced a 'Warning Card' which will be given to selected citizens, giving them permission to warn all those who are spitting, littering or urinating, mentioning the defaulter that a Clean-Up Marshal can be called and levy a fine on the defaulter. The Warning Card was launched on 13th March 2008 at Mega UTSAV program, which was organized by WAYE in Mumbai.
1500 WAYE volunteers received the MCGM Warning Cards and were trained how to use it. The volunteers did a fantastic job and being impressed by their positive energy and great performance, MCGM empowered some of the volunteers with 'Fine Cards.'
The Clean Inside-Clean Outside Campaign saw 1800 college students taking leadership to clean 20+ streets in the city. WAYE volunteers in various areas in Mumbai, adopted streets and cleaned them on a weekly basis. Furthermore, they educated people living in that area about garbage separation, rainwater harvesting, tree plantation, and hazards of littering, spitting and using plastics.
The Mumbai Clean Up project was completed in collaboration with Mumbai Municipal Corporation and United Way Foundation. The media covered it widely. It set a benchmark for other cities, inspiring them to incorporate it in their city.
