My Jalandhar, My Responsibility!  

It is truly said, ‘Power of youth is the commonwealth for the entire world.’ Young minds learn new things each day and put their heart and soul into solving problems and creating new outcomes.  

To encourage this spirit, Apeejay School, Model Town in Jalandhar introduced project-based learning to its students, a type of learning where solutions are sought in a real-world context by student-led groups. The process is simple. Students are engaged with societal issues and allowed to demonstrate their capabilities by working upon them independently. Through their skills, research and teamwork, they communicate and resolve issues of the citizens.

The theme for the project this year was, ‘My Jalandhar, My Responsibility’. Students identified domains which needed improvement in their city and presented solution-based projects to the municipal authorities. Some areas that were catered to include cleanliness, potholes on the roads, green cover, etc., as these students further generated awareness and encouraged residents to adopt self-discipline in the public.

“I learnt so many values while working on the project, the foremost being civic sense. I cleaned my street and felt a sense of achievement to have done something for my city,” says Bhavesh Aggarwal, a class 7 student. “I too have learnt many things while completing the project. Dumping garbage is a major issue that creates health problems in the area. And, it affects our smart-city project too. Therefore, we must improve our environmental conditions,” opines student Tanish Bakhshi.

According to another student Saanvi Mahajan the best part about the project was the on-ground exposure. “While visiting the different villages near to the city, I understood many insights. There is a huge scope for improvement in the city but all this will become possible only when we fulfil our responsibilities,” she says. Through this project, Avargun Singh learnt that garbage disposal is a potential issue in the country. And so, he advised citizens to follow the correct practices regarding the same.  

Mitesh Dutta, a student, focused on the poor condition of the city’s roads and worked to improve the quality of life of the stray animals. He says, “I love my city. And, I tried my best to interview the residents of my locality regarding these problems. They came up with effective solutions too. Many felt that the drainage system in the area needs to be taken care of. They must not dispose of plastics in the drains. For stray animals, they suggested special kennels or shelters. I feel that it is a collaborative effort of people and the government to make our city beautiful. I love my Jalandhar and I will leave no stone unturned to make it a dream city.”

During the course of the project, Ashriya Gupta understood that societal contribution requires time, effort, resources and commitment. She says, “This initiative tested my relationship-building parameters and confidence level. I learnt self-regulation and resilience in the process. By looking at problems from others’ viewpoints, I altered my perceptions towards these social issues. I also documented, analysed and channelled my thought process for the betterment of the society. It is important to remember that any problem can be solved through observation, vigilance and caution.”

Our city is an extension of our homes. And so, it is our collective responsibility to work towards its cleanliness, surroundings and environment, according to Nyesha Chottrra. “I visited various areas of my city which needed improvement. I found garbage dumps that become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and flies during monsoons. Hence, I reported it to the authorities. Another major concern has been the big potholes on the roads and internal streets. These lead to a lot of accidents and make it difficult for the local residents. So, I along with my friends, launched a campaign to create awareness among people. I believe that we should plant more trees, not throw garbage on roads and obey rules by the government. This project made me feel more responsible as a citizen and educated me on how our little efforts can lead to big changes.”

Ravya Gupta, too, came across many problems regarding sewage, garbage and unhygienic pits. She says, “I believe that it is never too late to improve.  Jalandhar Cantonment was declared the winner of the Swachhta Survekshan in 2020 conducted by the Ministry of Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Then why can we not attain the same status for the whole of the city?”