Chandigarh - The Cleanest City

Yes, Chandigarh has been adjudged recently as the cleanest city. Indeed, compared to many other cities in the country today. But how clean will it be?
Just go out in the evening for a walk on Sukhna Lake and you will find all sorts of litter including empty cups, paper, empty packets of chips. The central market place, Sector 17, is no better. And lots of other places. Well-educated people would throw out wrappers and empty bottles and paper plates out of their cars on the road, as if this is the free dustbin.
It's time for all of us to consciously make endeavour not to make our city a big dustbin. Let's be proud of our city, and its beauty. Let's keep it clean.

Free Open Hand

Thanks to Dr Gaurav Chhabra, the renowned documentary maker of our own city, and a social activist who is always searching to mobilise youth and infuse new ideas.
Open Hand Republic is the newest addition to his campaigns and on 25th January there would be a brainstorming event, 'cultural jamming' in the "Contemplation Pit" at the Open Hand Monument in Sector 1, Chandigarh. Anyone can participate and express ideas through visual arts/performance/discussion/music/street play/photography, etc.
City based youth groups and organisations are invited to be a part of the discussions.
A Visual Artist, Sawan, shall showcase for photography enthusiasts, 'painting with light' and 'light animation'.
Light a Candle for 'Free the Open Hand Campaign' to ignite the spirit of 'Republic' for your own city.
Kites of 'Freedom' - Join in the Kite flying activity before the start of event to represent the high spirits of the People of Chandigarh.

Arts and Heritage Festival

To give boost to art and culture, and present Chandigarh as a tourism hub, the Chandigarh Administration is organizing a six-day Arts and Heritage Festival beginning from March 27 to April 1st, 2010.

The six day festivity will put forth the best of theatre performances, dance, vocal and instrumental performances by national and international artists in the evening. During the day there will be many informative events like Painting workshop, face to face interaction with renowned authors, seminars on visual and literary art, Interactive sessions with renowned artists from art and music fraternity, live demonstration by the painters, post event informative interactions with performers and many more.

Oh, the city beautiful

This week we had over 100 NRIs enjoyed the greens of Chandigarh Golf Club and the salubrious environs of the city.
At the dinner hosted by the Tourism Promotion Society of Chandigarh (TPSC) headed by Mr Man Mohan Singh Kohli of Hotel Aroma, gave us the opportunity to look at the city from the eyes of the visitors. Mr Man Mohan Singh had always been a strong votary of developing the city into a model tourist destination, but this requires concerted efforts of everyone.
And truly so the comments of some of these NRIs, especially the regular ones, were not very satisfying who rued the decline in upkeep of the city. The growing number of garbage dumps, littering, debries, beggars, and unruly traffic are killing the 'beauty' of the city.
It is time the residents take upon themselves to own up their city and not spoil its beauty by keeping it free of litter. The first step starts from our homes. Let's do it.