P. Kavitha, a B.Sc. (Micro-biology) graduate from the Semmenchery Tsunami resettlement colony, has always wanted her tenement to go green. In a few more weeks, she will become a certified master trainer in waste management and will help train residents in the area.
She and 19 other B.E and B.Sc graduates from different Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board (TNSCB) tenements are taking part in a 40-day certificate course for ‘Master trainer in waste management’ under the Ministry of Environment and Forest’s Green Skill Development Programme.
The programme, which started on December 4, is being conducted on the IIT-Madras campus by the TNSCB and the Department of Environment, Tamil Nadu. Scientists and professors from various colleges, Anna University, National Academy for Management and Technology and officials from Chennai Corporation are training the participants. “I moved to the Semmenchery quarters when I was in Class III and have always wanted to keep the premises clean. In the course, we are taught about solid waste management, composting, and planning for waste management. There are also field visits,” said Ms. Kavitha.
Stipend given
The participants are given ₹250 as stipend to attend the programme. Once they become certified master trainers, they will train school dropouts in Semmenchery, Kannagi Nagar, Korrukupet, Kodungaiyur, Mylapore, Perumbakkam and other tenements in waste management.
“The school dropouts will be able to get jobs in government departments,” said a TNSCB official.
