CM to launch AZHAK hygiene protocol of Kozhikode Corpn

Initiative involves detailed guidelines for public conduct from birth to death

Kozhikode

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will officially launch AZHAK (A mass initiative for Zero waste, enhancing Happiness index and Attitudinal change in waste management in Kozhikode), the hygiene protocol of the Kozhikode Corporation on April 2. The event will be held at Tagore Centenary Hall in the city at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Mayor Beena Philip told reporters here on Wednesday that the corporation had been working on the project, with the slogan “Ezhazhakilekku en Kozhikode”, for the past 10 months, though the results were not tangible. A conceptual workshop titled “Hygiea” was held last year, following which a panel of five resource persons per ward had been selected. These resource persons were in charge of creating awareness in their respective wards regarding the hygiene protocol.

AZHAK involves detailed guidelines for public conduct in connection with 51 different sectors from birth to death. Guidelines have been issued for each and every activity in these sectors, supported by the laws. "Rather than imposing the laws firmly and implementing them with an iron fist, AZHAK aims at creating awareness about the need to follow these laws, projecting an end result, so that the public themselves choose to follow the guidelines", Ms. Philip said.

She said that Kozhikode had started its journey towards complete hygiene in the 1980s, but AZHAK was a lot more than hygiene. "It is a step towards sustainable living, making Kozhikde a better place to live, and thus enhancing the happiness index of the city", she said. The corporation plans to attain the result in 3 years. "But it is not about any declaration. The results should be tangible", the Mayor said.

As part of the launch of AZHAK, a collective of artists will visualise the end result of the project through colours, at an art camp to be held at Mananchira Square on Thursday. A declaration rally will be held on April 1. Councillors, Kudumbashree members, Haritha Karma Sena, cleaning workers, corporation employees, service organisation representatives, traders’ representatives and voluntary organisations will be part of the rally that will begin at Muthalakkulam ground at 4.30 p.m. and conclude near the corporation office.

The Mayor will preside over the event in which Ministers P.A. Mohammed Riyas, Ahammed Devarkovil and A.K. Saseendran, besides MPs M.K. Raghavan, Elamaram Kareem, Benoy Vishwam, and Thottathil Raveendran, MLA, are expected to take part.