There is no doubt that dumping grounds are an eyesore and if any city has to truly become a smart city, then it needs to have an efficient waste management system. One cannot always blame the authorities as it is the responsibility of every citizen to discard waste properly through the segregation of dry and wet waste so that all the waste just doesn’t accumulate in landfills.

However, when citizens and authorities turn a blind eye to an important matter, there are few responsible and concerned citizens who rise to the occasion and take things in their stride. One such person is Sajitha Nair who has been working relentlessly towards the treatment of dumping grounds in Kalyan as well as spreading awareness about the need to segregate and discard waste in a responsible manner.

Sajitha would always worry about the growing height of the Adharwadi dumping ground in Kalyan. When no action was taken in spite of numerous requests and petitions filed, Sajitha along with a team of volunteers actually got into the dumping ground and worked on it. Sourcing water from a nearby sewage treatment plant, Sajitha and her team used organic culture to decompose the filth. With her impressive waste management technology, the team succeeded in reducing the height of a section of the dumping ground by 16 feet in just 65-70 days. The engineers and waste management team of the municipality were amazed at the rapid speed of decomposition of garbage. Sajitha and her team were also invited to demonstrate her waste management technology to the CM of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis who was very impressed and assured all help.

Sajitha continues to give waste management training sessions to housing societies with the effect that residents are now aware of and follow the proper methods of waste disposal. She also actively participates in forums and meets that strive to enhance the quality of life in the city and is a contributor to awareness drives, cultural, social and ecological initiatives.

Sajitha inspires us to come out of our comfort zones and become responsible citizens by doing what is needed for our society. Let us all be inspired by our star citizen-Sajitha Nair.