The government’s initiative of Swaccha Bharat is being emphasized in Surat, a smart city that is struggling with cleanliness issues in public areas. Despite being a popular tourist attraction, Dumas beach has become heavily polluted with garbage and waste. To improve the city’s cleanliness and promote sustainability for residents and tourists, a  group of individuals took matters into their own hands. They organized a clean-up effort where they collected waste and disposed of it in proper garbage bags. The garbage was then handed over to SMC trucks for appropriate waste management.
LO1:Â Increased awareness of strengths and areas for growth:Â
Participating in beach cleaning activities has helped me become more self-aware of my abilities and areas for improvement. Working with others in a team has allowed me to identify my strengths and weaknesses in terms of teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and commitment to environmental protection.For example, I have discovered that I am good at organizing others to collect trash and have a strong attention to detail when it comes to identifying litter on the beach. However, I have also recognized that I struggle with communicating with others and staying motivated when faced with tedious tasks.By identifying these areas for growth, I have been able to work on improving my skills and becoming a more effective team member. I believe that participating in beach cleaning activities has helped me not only make a positive impact on the environment but also develop important life skills that will serve me well in the future.
LO3:Â Undertaken new challenges:Â
As a student, I had the opportunity to take responsibility for planning and initiating my own beach cleaning activities with guidance from my supervisors. This involved coordinating with other students, obtaining permission from local authorities or beach managers, and planning out logistics such as equipment and transportation. By taking initiative and being proactive in planning my activities, I was able to develop important organizational and leadership skills. This experience not only helped me make a positive impact on the environment but also provided me with valuable skills that have been useful in my future endeavors.
During my participation in beach cleaning activities, I worked collaboratively with other students. It was essential to work together in a collaborative and respectful manner, dividing up tasks, communicating effectively with each other, and supporting one another in order to achieve our goals. Through working collaboratively with others, I was able to develop my interpersonal skills, such as empathy, active listening, and conflict resolution. I believe that these skills have been invaluable in my personal and professional life, and have helped me to work more effectively with others in a variety of settings.
