Raipur Hosts India’s First Garbage Festival from Jan 19-22, 2018

Kachra Mahotsav, India’s first garbage festival is being organized by Raipur Municipal Corporation (RMC) at Raipur, Chhattisgarh from January 19 to 22^, 2018. This festival has been initiated by RMC to encourage and promote recycling and upcycling of waste that is generated in the city. The 4 day festival at RMC Garden, Chhotapara in Raipur will witness workshops, performances, exhibition and some interesting installations fostering the theme and motive of the event.  

Exhibitors from across India will display and sell an array of products which are organic, recycled and reprocessed from the things we label as garbage.  Some of these will showcase recycled home décor products & accessories, while others will promote upcycled products made from tetra-pack, fabric, denim and glass waste. In addition, exhibitors who are known for making handmade paper products upcycled from animal dung, forest waste and cotton scrap as well as eco-friendly dustbin liners made from upcycled newspaper will also be present.    

Pramod Dubey, Mayor, Raipur said, “I congratulate Raipur Municipal Corporation for organizing the first Kachra Mahotsav. The participatory, engaging and comprehensive approach of this festival, will not only sensitize the citizens but also empower them to contribute their bit in safeguarding the environment. I extend my best wishes for the successful execution of this festival.”       

Internationally acclaimed bands, like Dharavi Rocks and Thaalavattam, who are famous for creating captivating music by using instruments made of junk will also perform at Kachra Mahotsav. Various workshops will be conducted by prominent faces from the recycling and upcycling industry. The topics include, composting, home gardening, waste segregation, crafting out of waste, amongst others – that resonate well with the theme of the festival. These workshops will witness participation of schools and college students from across the state.

Excited on hosting the maiden festival, Rajat Bansal (IAS), Commissioner, RMC, said, “It is our continuous endeavor to help facilitate sustainable development and create a healthy environment for all. Keeping in sync with the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’, this festival promotes the objective of cleanliness in a distinctive way. It will provide a road map to smart cities, on how we can creatively reduce, reuse and recycle waste.”

RMC alongside its ‘Swacchta Ambassadors’ have also been conducting ‘Kabaad Morcha’ (garbage-collection drive) for the past 1 month, to collect and keep aside the waste from the city for creating installations, that will be showcased during the festival. Ahead of the main event, this drive has witnessed overwhelming participation by the public. Students from J.J. School of Arts, Mumbai; Indira Kala Academy, Rajanandgaon amongst others will erect these interesting installations which promises to leave the audience spell bound. The promotional material such as flex, banners and signboards that have been used for the festival have also been reprocessed.    

This festival is a continuous effort alongside other noteworthy initiatives undertaken by RMC, some of which include ‘Toilet My Right’ campaign, City Hygiene Awards, Swachhta App amongst others.