Ever since she settled down in Vasco, her sole mission and dream has been to make the city ‘A clean and better place to live’.
Ms Alka Damle has been an educationist by profession in the field of mathematics for the last three decades. Born and educated in Mumbai, she has been active in Goa since 1974. Initially, she started her career as a lecturer of statistics in MES College, Vasco and subsequently went on to teach Mathematics in various schools and colleges in Mumbai and Goa.
In Goa and especially in Mormugao she has devoted herself to promoting civic sense. Her focus has been to create overall awareness among the citizens through various activities and projects. Alka has provided informative material on the solid waste management and composting wet garbage.
“In 2010 I happened to read one article in a local newspaper. Expressing my views in an article I said that ‘we need to stop the blame game and shoulder our responsibility’ as well in a democratic country like ours. This article was liked by one business house of Vasco. They called me for a meeting and showed their willingness to by funding the activities I had proposed. That is how the beginning was made with sweeping the roads, appealing and motivating people to love the city to keep it beautiful,” said Alka.
“Had the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) supported the activities or paid any heed to my suggestions by now Vasco would have been without any litter,” added Alka.
Along with creating awareness about garbage hazards in Vasco, Alka and her group have been picking up the litter from different areas almost every Sunday. At times they do not receive any support from either the Panchayat body or the councilors of MMC. But Alka believes that a lot needs to be done and can be done if citizens, MMC and the Panchayats make sincere efforts.
When asked why she has taken up such kind of activities Alka says her attitude and aim in life was to fulfill the urge in her of working for the society. “I strongly believe in ‘giving it back to the society’ in which I live. So I take up various projects all by myself and then appeal the citizens to join hands. Many a time I get a good response and manage to bring together few likeminded people. But even if I don’t get the support I expect I continue to do what I can,” added Alka.
“We the citizens also need to say ‘we care and not who cares’ for that to happen. Nevertheless I believe in ‘try, try don’t cry,” quipped Alka
Recently she had appealed to the citizens of Goa to donate various things like old but wearable clothes, school stationary, ration, utensils, footwear, etc to the drought-hit areas.
“There was a fairly good response. I sent 100 big cartons of goods to Mumbai to a well known NGO GOONJ for further distribution. We also had a ‘mind ki baat’ a programme on mental health awareness organised by COOJ mental health foundation, where I helped them in various ways from fund raising to anchoring,” said Alka.
Another feather in her cap is the work Alka, along with three other volunteers of her Jagrut Nagrik Manch, did recently for children by conducting a fun filled creative workshop for three weeks.
“We conducted this activity to inculcate some good values and make them good citizens of tomorrow. We have been also taking care of 30 saplings planted by us on SAG Chicalim ground in 2014 by regularly watering them and ensuring that they grow well,” said Alka.
