Found a clean spot in Bengaluru? Thank Amith Amarnath's `Youth for Parivarthan'

Five months before Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched his Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in October 2014, a law student in Bengaluru decided to take matters in his own hands.

Amith Amarnath was tired of listening to people complain about garbage and do nothing about it. So, along with six friends, he decided to register a non-profit called `Youth for Parivarthan' that went from place to place conducting spotfixes and clean-up drives. “We joined hands with the BBMP and started work. Our motto is Stop Complaining, Start Acting,“ says Amarnath.

They started at a children's play area in Banashankari II Stage.“We got mixed reactions. While some appreciated it, others demotivated us saying that it was a one-time effort and things would go back to square one,“ recounts the 22-year-old, who is now working with law firm HS Somnath & Associates. “What they don't realise is that maintenance is a collective responsibility .“

Along with his core team and a group of volunteers, he identified public areas and footpaths ridden with garbage. They pooled their money to buy paint, brushes and other material for the `Parivarthan Drive'. As word of their activity spread, Amarnath started receiving email and Facebook requests from volunteers.


Picture: Youth for Parivarthan (Facebook)

Since 2014, Youth for Parivarthan has carried out 68 spot-fixes, in Jayanagar, Halasuru, Shivajinagar, Vinayaka Nagar, Uttarahalli, SG Palya and Padmanabhanagar.They have close to 1,200 members, of which 400 are active. On an average, at least 30-40 people turn up for every spot-fix.“During a clean-up, we go doorto-door telling people what we are doing. Many join us. Those who don't, provide us with food, water and juice.“ Each spot-fix takes six to eight hours.

Money has not been an issue, Amarnath explains. “But we ask locals to contribute because if they spend money , they will have a sense of ownership.“ Every new member pays a one-time membership fee of `100. They have not approached anyone for grants so far.


Picture: Youth for Parivarthan (Facebook)

Amarnath says that since 2014, there has been a tremendous shift in the city's mindset towards cleanliness. Which is why , perhaps, of the 68 spot-fixes Parivarthan has carried out, almost 30 were public requests.“We have also seen a 72% success rate. In a few areas like Chennammanakere Achukattu and Uttarahalli, where things fell back, we plan to visit them again and ask the local corporator to ensure that the place remains clean,“ he says.


Picture: Youth for Parivarthan (Facebook)

Prabhavati Ramesh, councillor, Puttenahalli, says that she approached Amarnath to remove black spots from the ward.“Amith and his volunteers beautify the spot, paint, plant greens and sometimes also put up seating in the area so that it can be utilised by people. They have cleared 10 spots -almost 70% -in the area,“ she said.