Yatra For Constitution - Thank You

New Year Greetings!

On 26th Nov 2019 we started from Bengaluru by Walks/Run/Cycle covering 10 Districts, 817kms in 14 Days to reach Bidar on 9^th Dec 2019, as against the initial plan of 700kms in 16 Days.

70years ago, on 26th Nov 1949 We the People of India adopted the Constitution, and Yatra For Constitution was taken up to reaffirm our commitment to the Constitution and to create awareness about our Constitution among children from High School and Colleges enroute Bengaluru to Bidar.

From Bengaluru to Bidar we Walked/Ran/Cycled 817kms through Dasanapura, Sri Siddaganga Matt, Sira, Hiriyur, Challakere, Molakalmuru, Ballari, Siruguppa, Manvi, Devadurga, Yadgir, Sedam, Chincholi, Bidar.

We visited over 70+ High Schools & Colleges, interacted with several Organizations and Citizens groups, delivering talk on Constitution of India and the need to stay committed to our Constitution. We also distributed Note Books, Library Books, Books on Constitution of India to the Students in High Schools & Colleges, that was donated by our friends and supporters from Bengaluru.

Yatra For Constitution was not only well received but also very highly appreciated by students, teachers, organizations, citizen groups and everyone who interacted with us enroute.

It was indeed a humbling and life changing experience for us; we are grateful that we could undertake this Yatra to create awareness about our Constitution in our lifetime.

We have officially completed the Yatra For Constitution on 9^th Dec 2019 at 6.30pm at Dr B R Ambedkar Circle in Bidar, but our journey to create awareness about our Constitution and to spread the message of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr B R Ambedkar, Pt Nehru, Sardar Patel and Maulana Azad will continue.

We will strive to leave behind a better India, an India that stands by the Constitution that Dr B R Ambedkar gave us when our journey ends.

Yatra For Constitution is a first of its kind initiative in India to create awareness about the Constitution taken up by two Women travelling by Walk/Run/Cycle from Bengaluru to Bidar covering 817kms in 14 Days.

We will soon be doing a Photo exhibition of Yatra For Constitution and share the unique stories of our 14 Days journey by Walk/Run/Cycle from Bengaluru to Bidar.

Looking forward for your support to keep the noble journey Yatra For Constitution going and in ensuring an India that firmly believes in its Constitution.

Thanking you,

Jai Hind, Jai Karnataka, Jai Bhim

Kavitha Reddy & Jigna Modh

Events & Programs 2019

28th Dec 2019 - Flag March, Indian National Congress Foundation Day

26th Dec 2019 - BPAC Alumni Meeting

26th Dec 2019 - Protest against CAA, Townhall

23rd Dec 2019 - Protest against CAA,  Edigah

22nd Dec 2019 - Protest against CAA, Townhall

19th Dec 2019 - Protest against CAA, Townhall

15th Dec 2019 - Protest against CAA, Townhall

26th Nov 2019 - #YatraForConstitution Bengaluru To Bidar Walk/Run/Cycle

21st Nov 2019 - Clean-Up drive & Tree Plantation at Agara Lake mini-Forest

20th Nov 2019 - Press Conference at Press Club Bengaluru, #YatraForConstitution #BengaluruToBidar

19th Nov 2019 - Haraluru Lake clean-up drive

27th Oct 2019 - #YatraForConstitution #BengaluruToBidar

17th Oct 2019 - Addl Commissioner BBMP visit to Ward 190 & 174

15th Oct 2019 - Somasundrapalya Lake visit and meeting with BBMP Lakes Division

13th Oct 2019 - HSR Federation AGM

13th Ot 2019 - Haraluru Lake Clean up and Maintenance drive

7th Oct 2019 - Ayudhya Puja at Agara Lake

6th Oct 2019 - RWA Monthly Meeting

5th Oct 2019 - Ward Committee Meeting

2nd Oct 2019 - #GandhiAt150 Tree Plantation Drive & Cultural Evening at Swabhiman Park

29th Sept 2019 - Bommanahalli Block Meeting

29th Sept 2019 - Skechers #GoRunClub Performance Run

27th Sept 2019 - Anchored MTR Foods WeCare Walkathon

24th Sept 2019 - Water Future Conference

22nd Sept 2019 - Spirit of Wipro Run, Gauri Lankesh Awards Event

21st Sept 2019 - Haraluru Lake Meeting, Climate Strike at Swabhiman Park

19th Sept 2019 - Meeting with Member Secretary, KSPCB regarding Treated Water

17th Sept 2019 - CM visit to Agara Lake & Haraluru Lake Meeting

15th Sept 2019 - Contributed article on Garbage crisis "Dirty Picture"

9th Sept 2019 - Contributed article on Water to KSPCB "Water Security"

8th Sept 2019 - WEF Global Shapers RWH Event at Agara Lake

7th Sept 2019 - BPAC Alumni Meeting, HSRA Ganesha Program Visit

5th Sept 2019 - Lake & Water Conservation talk, TN Govt Panchayat & Municipality Officers Team

4th Sept 2019 - Talk at St Joseph Commerce College

31st Aug 2019 - Clay Ganesha Workshop, Kaagaz Office

29th Aug 2019 - Clay Ganesha Workshop, Swabhiman Tree Park

25th Aug 2019 - Bengaluru Ganesh Utsava, Clay Ganesha Event

24th Aug 2019 - Clay Ganesha Workshop, Haraluru Lake

19th Aug 2019 - KSPCB Meeting & BBMP Meeting 

19th Aug 2019 - Agara Lake Case Hearing

18th Aug 2019 - RWA Monthly Meeting

17th Aug 2019 - 1st Sector RWA Independence Day Cultural Fest

17th Aug 2019 - Traffic Police monthly meeting

15th Aug 2019 - Blood Donation Camp, Kaagaz Foundation & Mythri Mahila Koota

15th Aug 2019 - 7th Edition of HSR 10K Freedom Run, Kaagaz Foundation

6th Aug 2019 - Peace Committee Meeting, DCP, ACPs and HSR Police

6th Aug 2019 - KSPCB, Eco-Friendly Ganesha Festival Meeting

3rd Aug 2019 - Ward Committee Meeting

30th July 2019 - Alumni Meeting with Secretary, State Election Commission

26th June 2019 - Roundtable on USWM - Ramaiah Institute on Public Policy

21st July 2019 - Sector 1 RWA Meeting

10th July 2019 - Police & Public Meet, DCP Law and Order

9th July 2019 - Meeting with KSPCB & NGT - Lakes & KCDC

4th July 2019 - Green Ambassador Program, Govt PU College

30th June 2019 - Performance Run

28th & 29th June 2019 - BPAC- BCLIP Women Leaders Event

23rd June 2019 - Clean-up drive

11th June 2019 - Received World Environment Day Hero Certificate from UN

9th June 2019 - TREEathon as Agara Lake, 100 Saplings

8th June 2019 - TREEathon at Haraluru Lake, 200 Saplings

5th June 2019 - TREEathon, 20 Saplings, Agara Lake

5th June 2019 - Our Agara Lake - Handbook release

4th June 2019 - TREEathon, 14 Saplings

2nd June 2019 - TREEathon, 125 Saplings, 3000 Saplings Challenge

1st June 2019 - BCLIP Alumni Event, #Mission2020

28th May 2019 - Meeting with KSPCB Chairman, KCDC--Somasundrapalya Lake

25th May 2019 - Haralur Lake Inspection and Review with Citizen Group & Contractors

24th May 2019 - Somasundrapalya & Mangamanapalya Lakes Inspection, Review with BBMP Lakes & BWSSB

19th May 2019 - Forest Dept - ALPMS meeting chaired by PCCF, Agara Lake

18th May 2019 - BBMP Lakes Meeting (Somasundrapalya Lake, Haralur Lake, Mangamanapalya Lake)

8th May 2019 - Installation of Air Quality System at Agara Lake by Clean Air Platform

30th April 2019 - Expert Committee on Lakes visited Agara Lake

25th March to 17th April 2019 - LS Election Work

24th March 2019 - World Water Day event, Agara Lake

23rd March 2019 - Blood Donation Camp

22nd March 2019 - Agara Lake Case, High Court

19th March 2019 - Agara Lake Case, High Court

18th March 2019 - Visited Arekere Govt School and  3 Anganwadis

14th March 2019 - Visited Mangammanapalya Urdu Govt School, Green Ambassador Program

13th March 2019 - B.PAC Women's Day Event at BVB

13th March 2019 - Visited Haralur Govt School, Green Ambassador Program

12th March 2019 - Visited Parangipalya Govt School, Green Ambassador Program

10th March 2019 - Chief Guest at Women's Day Event, Mangammanapalya

9th March 2019 - Women's Day Event, Mythri Mahila Koota

9th March 2019 - Bommanahalli INC Meeting

7th March 2019 - Shared inputs on E-Waste

3rd March 2019 - Kaagaz Foundation, Women's Day Run

2nd March 2019 - Chief Guest at Krupanidhi College for Pharmacy NSS Event

1st March 2019 - Meeting with Leaders

28th Feb 2019 - Meeting with Leaders

27th Feb 2019 - Panel Discussion on Social Media for Civic Issues, Presidency College

25th Feb 2019 - Agara Lake Meeting

24th Feb 2019 - Visit to Haralur Lake, discussion with Citizen Group

23rd Feb 2019 - Byatarayanapura AC Booth President & Members LS Elections Siddata Shibera

19th Feb 2019 - Christ University, Panel Discussion -  India's Changing Identity

17th Feb 2019 - Future Cities - Lake, Panelist

15th & 16th Feb 2019 - Intercollege Handball Championship, Chief Guest

11th Feb 2019 - Budget Inputs to BBMP Commissioner, Mayor, T & F Chairman, Dy Mayor, BCLIP Alumni

9th Feb 2019 - Spot-Fixing of the old Transfer Point with BBMP & The Ugly Indian

8th Feb 2019 - Guest at Agara Govt Primary School, School Day

6th Feb 2019 - KPCC Meeting 

4th Feb 2019 - Budget Demands & Inputs to BBMP Commissioner & Mayor

30th Jan 2019 - Shared my views on Lakes and the story of Agara Lake with Azim Premji University Students

30th Jan 2019 - Meeting with BBMP Traffic, Medians in two junctions & Height Barricades in service road

27th Jan 2019 - Discussion of Parking arrangement near Agara Lake with HSR Traffic Police

19th Jan 2019 - Agara Lake Mini-Forest Clean-up drive

18th Jan 2019 - Oxfam Trailwalker

7th Jan 2019 - Spoke at the Wetlands Workshop - Importance of Wetlands and about Agara Lake

Yatra For Constitution in Media

Electronic Media - E7 News Kannada  ETV Bharat Karnataka SSV TV

Print Media

Indian By Choice

As kid of the 70’s with Idealism at heart, grew up in the most Secular atmosphere, away from the illness of communal divide. As NCC Cadet I not only sang Hum Sab Bharatiya Hain………Mandir Gurudware Bhi Hain Yahan, Aur Masjid Bhi Hai Yahan, Girja Ka Hai Ghadiyal Kahin, Mullah ki Kahin Hai Azaan…….Rang Birange Deepak Hain Hum……Jagmag Ek Hai but also believed it and practiced it from my heart every day ever since…..!

My head hanged in shame on 6^th Dec 1992, as a young Idealist NCC Cadet who was just about to go to Republic Day Camp in Delhi 1993, I carried the guilt of that dreadful day most of my life.

Soul shook again when I was Walking/Cycling 817 kms from Bengaluru to Bidar as part of Yatra For Constitution and the debate on Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB now CAA) was making headlines. Here, I was doing Yatra for Constitution to mark 70 years since We The People Of India adopted the Constitution and the anti-Constitution CAB was getting tabled in Parliament, it was clear that the fight to save the Constitution Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar gave us will be on the streets of India and not in Parliament where the brutal majority bulldozed all opposition voices.

Ever since I came back from Yatra for Constitution attending or organizing protests against CAA/NRC, speaking my mind and explaining why CAA is anti-Constitution has become only duty, even opposing Section 144 and being detained by Bengaluru Police has been my moment of Civil Disobedience.

Today along with my friends I sat with over 3lac of fellow Muslim Brothers and Sisters at Bengaluru Khuddus Saheb Eidgah sloganeering Samvidhan Zindabad, Hindustan Zindabad and singing Sare Jahan se Accha……over and over with a sea of Tri-color waving in the ocean of humanity.

Emotions were very visible, but the clarity with each of the speaker spoke no one could ever dare to question any Muslim Indian to prove their Mohabbat to their Hindustan. And the remote corner of my mind was asking me why is India putting the Indian Muslims through the Patriotism test, because like Harsh Mander said for Hindus being Indian was by Chance and for a Muslim being Indian was by Choice.

One can never forget that every Indian irrespective of Religion have given their Sweat & Blood and fought for the Freedom of this Great Nation, each one have contributed immensely towards Nation building. And, Ocean of humanity today peacefully fighting to save the Constitution and to save the Idea of India was the proof of that.

As I walked out of the Eidgah along with my friends the gentleness of the massive crowd was in full display, some cheering and thanking us for being with them, some taking pictures with us, some cheering as I spoke with media and everyone shouting loudly asking to make way for women and helping us walk with pride along with them was an assurance that the Heart of India will never change and Modi/Shah/RSS brand of divisive politics will be defeated strongly.

With emotions running high the massive crowds ensured that the Ambulance was given way. Cheering for the Bengaluru Police, waving the Tri-color with great pride indeed made me numb, and wondered what really Modi-Shah wanted to do to this Nation that is about People and not just Land.

We The People Of India have a long fight ahead to save our Constitution and we have to store all the energy, stay united to keep the Gandhian Fight going, till we defeat the divisive forces and restore the Idea of India our Founding Leaders fought for.

Jai Samvidhan , Jai Bhim

Kavitha Reddy

#YatraForConstitution #BengaluruToBidar

Follow our Yatra For Constitution on our FB Page Click Here! 

On 26th Nov 2019 we are taking a Journey of a lifetime, Walk/Run/Cycle 700 kms from Bengaluru to Bidar!

26th Nov 1949 is the day India adopted the Constitution written by Dr B R Ambedkar, it's been 70 years and it's time to reaffirm our faith in the Constitution and stay committed to the Holy Book that we the people of India have adopted!

In our endeavour we intend to make aware the Citizens, specically Young people about the Fundamental Rights & Duties that our Constitution has given us and the need to stay committed  to it and to celebrate it. 

As our commitment to Article 51 A (g) we are raising funds for the Conservation of Lakes & Environment. This is a self-funded journey, hence all the funds we raise will go to the cause we have been working for and additionally for every Rs1000 we raise we will plant a sapling enroute. 

We are looking forward to successfully complete this Unique Journey and raise over Rs 1000000 (Rupees Ten Lacs) and Rs 200000 (Rupees Two Lacs), and welcome not only generous contribution but also invite people who are keen to be part of the 700 kms #YatraForConstitution. 

Donor list, Rs 94100 of Rs 1200000: 

01. Kavitha Reddy
02. Jigna Modh
03. Mahesh K
04. Ravi Krishna Reddy
05. Tabu Rao
06. Dharma Teja
07. Vilas Deshmukh
08. Revathi Mohan
09. Rashmi
10. Aparna
11. Rukmini 
12. Kamesh Rastogi
13. Anil Shetty
14. Padma Reddy 
15. Mythri Mahila Koota
16. Vijaya Reddy
17. Suvarna Reddy
18. Padmavathi 
19. Mamatha 
20. Meenakshi
21. Sunita Agarwal
22. Amit Gopal
23. Dinesh G Rao
24. Mehroz Khan
25. Sai Swamiji
26. Chandrashekar VET School
27. Amrith Shenoy
28.
29.
30.

Dirty Picture

Ask any Bengalurean what are the 5 most serious issues the city is facing, there will be neck to neck competition between Garbage and Traffic to take the first spot, and eventually Garbage will win by a whisker! Such is the brutal impact of Garbage on the minds and eyes of the people of India’s Silicon Valley!

City that boasts of ISRO, HAL, BEL and thousands of IT & BT companies that are making huge technological advancements, are reaching the skies and even the outer space is reeling under the forever increasing Garbage mess!

Visuals across the city are not welcoming, heaps of garbage lying on road sides, in drains, in lake beds, in empty land/plots, under the flyovers, near slums, near schools are indeed common and the almost accepted norms. Added to the garbage is the construction and demolition (C&D) waste which is one of the biggest contributors for chronic Air Pollution in the city. All this painfully paints a very grim and Dirty Picture of Bengaluru, and mocks at the city’s inability to treat its garbage despite being a global city with many achievements to its name.

Bengaluru city has the most vibrant Civil Society, Activists, NGOs and Corporate participation, it will not be an exaggeration to say that irrespective of who is in power collaborative approach of the BBMP and State Govt with Citizens and NGOs has always been there. Given all this, why is such a vibrant city crumbling under the constantly increasing garbage crisis is a question worth seeking answers for.

No one can deny the challenges in managing and treating Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) and C&D Waste, but technically speaking Bengaluru never planned for its growth nor for its garbage. For years waste was transported to dumping yards in the outskirts of the city to keep the city clean, when villagers revolted against the badly planned dumping yards and the environmental damage it was causing, BBMP hurried with random plans to address the garbage issue. But by then the infamous garbage mafia that has been thriving under the garb of garbage transport fully supported by elected representatives cutting across party lines had made firm inroads into the garbage contracts.

High Court and NGT orders have not stopped most of the Bengaluru garbage reaching landfills, nor there is 100% Segregation, nor Bengaluru Bruhat Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) can claim 100% compliance of garbage tenders. Tender norms are diluted as the stronghold of the mafia does not allow fresh bidders for garbage contracts, and each time BBMP is muzzled and forced to go for ad-hoc contracts in most of the constituencies and wards.

On one hand there are massive awareness campaigns on Waste Segregation, Composting, Dry Waste Collection Centers (DWCC), Plastic Ban, Black-Spot fixing taken up by BBMP along with Citizens and NGOs, on other hand most of the garbage reaches the landfills, and yet there are heaps of uncleared garbage across the city! The missing piece between the desired result and the current status is the flawed and broken collection system.

ACT i.e. Awareness, Collection, Treatment are the three critical pieces of a comprehensive MSW management process, and a missing piece only means breakdown in the entire process, which BBMP is either not willing to accept or is unable to fix.

Today, door-to-door waste collection is not only uneven, its unjustified, its class driven and composition driven. With three vendor system, one for Bulk Generators, one for Commercial and one for Households, what falls between these three vendors are thousands of small shops, canteens, PGs, vegetable shops, street vendors etc. which are mostly operating in residential areas, thereby not considered or owned up by any of the three vendors.

Bengaluru is a 24/7 city, and our waste collection is extremely narrow, due to which people dump their garbage anywhere and everywhere as they leave to work just to avoid dogs tearing up the garbage cans in front of their homes

The class driven collection is rampant; revenue pockets, slums, poorer areas are the least priority for BBMP, residents there are allowed to dump waste on their own in few places, which BBMP terms it as Points, which is 100% mixed waste and gets cleared outside the collection system.

Value or composition of the waste is given more importance by the collection person; hence meat waste or vegetable waste are not collected in time, which in turn ends up on roadsides or drains during late night or early mornings. 

Firstly, 100% Collection is the only way to assess the quantity & quality of waste generated each day and to keep the city clean without black-spots or points. This also ensures that there are drastic changes in the city and less visual eyesore.

Secondly, 100% Decentralization of MSW management can indeed make local ward administration more responsible and proactive, without them getting away by sending ward waste to other wards or villages. And its proven that smaller quantity of waste can be managed better, and volume game is never a solution for MSW management as there are no benefits of scale.

Thirdly, Technology intervention has to be explored to the fullest, when technology is solving so many problems, it’s impossible to fathom why technology interventions are not considered to address the MSW management process. Waste processing has to have multiple solutions based on the composition of waste, and technology plays an important role in creating synergy between all pieces of ACT!

BBMP is wasting a lot of public money on primitive ideas like garbage marshals making it more person dependent and not system driven. Hence, the first logical step to address the Dirty Picture of Bengaluru garbage begins with Collection, Collection, Collection. Acknowledging the actual quantity & quality of waste generated by the city can lead to more focused solutions and a better management of MSW.

- Kavitha Reddy

  Lake Activist & Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Awardee

 Published in Deccan Herald and in The News Minute