Over 150 policemen from the Anekal division along with an equal number of habitual offenders in the area joined hands to clean the five-acre premises of Madduramma temple in Hoskur after the four-day annual Ugadi fair. The area was strewn with plastic cups, bottles, paper plates, and leftover food, but it took the team just two hours to clear the grounds on Friday.
Deputy Superintendent of Police S.K. Umesh said over two lakh devotees had visited the temple. Food and soft drinks were served and the debris was piling up. It soon became a concern for the villagers and local administration.
“We decided to do our bit for the community and asked habitual offenders, who had attended the routine parade, to pitch in,” said Mr. Umesh. As word spread, other organisations also offered to help. “A hospital provided us masks and gloves, while the temple committee gave us brooms, 10 tractors and 50 bullock-carts to transport garbage,” Mr. Umesh said.
As work began, villagers also joined and within two hours, the land was clean, he added. The garbage was dumped on the outskirts of the village and was then segregated. “Through this exercise, we not only gained the confidence of the villagers but also did our bit to keep the area clean,” Mr. Umesh said.
Deputy Superintendent of Police S.K. Umesh said over two lakh devotees had visited the temple. Food and soft drinks were served and the debris was piling up. It soon became a concern for the villagers and local administration.
“We decided to do our bit for the community and asked habitual offenders, who had attended the routine parade, to pitch in,” said Mr. Umesh. As word spread, other organisations also offered to help. “A hospital provided us masks and gloves, while the temple committee gave us brooms, 10 tractors and 50 bullock-carts to transport garbage,” Mr. Umesh said.
As work began, villagers also joined and within two hours, the land was clean, he added. The garbage was dumped on the outskirts of the village and was then segregated. “Through this exercise, we not only gained the confidence of the villagers but also did our bit to keep the area clean,” Mr. Umesh said.