Survival first, beautification later: PUNE YOUTH’S RIVER MANTRA

On a recent breezy evening, a messy but clean initiative was carried out by youngsters along the banks of the Mula river. Dressed in white t-shirts, the group didn’t hesitate to get their hands dirty, all for a cleaner city.According to Ritwik Dhanwat, organiser of the event, the cleanup drive near Baba Bhide bridge ended in them collecting 30 bags of waste weighing around 600 kgs. He added that this will be a continued effort from their side.Shivanjali Nivekar, a participant, shared that cleanliness in other countries inspires many, including her. “Why should we lack on that front? Instead of waiting for someone to take action, I think it’s better to take initiative,” she said. Youngster Ravi Sawant, another participant in the drive, said that such things should be taught in schools so the next generation grows up cautious of the fact that our environment should be taken care of.