Dehradun: Our group started on the journey of environmental conservation and propagating civic awareness in June 2011. In the course of the next seven years, we have emerged as one of Dehradun’s most active NGOs that has caused significant policy impact through its operations. We have convened over five hundred activities such as clean-up cum awareness programs, transformation of dirty, posters and urine clad walls, distribution of soaps among the needy to increase sanitation levels in such areas, etc.
Our most important campaign has been to impress upon the Government and citizens alike to rejuvenate the dying rivers of Doon valley. Our efforts bore the fruits first in 2014, when after our persuasion, the Union Ministry of Water Resources directed National Institute of Hydrology (NIH) Roorkee to undertake a study to assess the possibilities of rejuvenating Dehradun’s drying rivers, namely Rispana and Bindal. This report earmarked Rispana as a perennial stream. Later after our presentation to the then Environment Minister, Prakash Javdekar, Ripsna and Bindal were notified as a part of the Ganga River Basin.
Apart from these two achievements, MAD has consistently continued with its on ground activism and has held an activity every Sunday without fail in these eleven years. Some of our other achievements include transforming over forty dirty walls in Dehradun City, pushing the Government to reverse a Cycle ban in Mussourie’s Mall Road, working with other organizations to stall the proposed Smart City project by concretizing the tea estates, etc.
As we are completing 11 years, MAD is organizing a three-day festival – MADATHON, which starts from 5th of June, 2022. MADATHON 2022 is the eleventh edition of the annual festival organized by MAD to propagate awareness about the rejuvenation of dying rivers in Doon Valley. The festival includes a cross-country race, art competition, and cultural event. All the events are completely zero waste. No plastic bottles or glasses are being used to provide water to runners. Instead, MAD is keeping 6 water filling stations throughout the route and is serving water only in steel glasses.
To get an adequate amount of steel glasses MAD members have reached out to the Gurudwaras of the city, many of which have already given a positive response. MAD is also sourcing some other steel glasses from its own members and other Doonites. No plastic flex is being printed for this event. Instead, MAD is preparing a series of banners on canvas cloth. MAD members are painting messages of conservation on the canvas cloth on their own. Thirdly, in line with the ideals of pocket money funding of the group, MAD is not looking for caterers to cater to the refreshments needs of the marathon participants. MAD members are preparing sandwiches for all participants on their own.
The schedule of MADATHON 2022 is as follows –
5th June, 2022 – The cross-country race is the feature event of the MADathon festival-also its very first event. This race has been a tradition with MAD. The route for this year’s race is approximately 8 kilometers. The race will begin from Pavilion Ground and conclude at Pavilion Ground (It is a circular route). The route will include areas like Buddha Chowk, Race Course, Suri Chowk, Police Line, Araghar, EC Road and Astley Hall. The cash prize of the winner of the Cross-Country Race is Rs. 8000 for both categories, boys and girls. The one who comes second will get Rs. 5000 and the one who comes third will get Rs. 3000. The event will start at 5:00 am on 5th of June (Sunday).
6th June, 2022 – On Day 2 of the MADathon Festival that is June 6, 2022 (Monday), a gala Art Competition is being organized at the Doon International School, from 4:00 pm onwards. The Art Competition does not have an age criterion and is truly open to one and all. The participants will be given a theme to make something unique.
7th June, 2022 – On the final day of the MADATHON Festival, that is June 7, 2022 (Tuesday), MAD by BTD wishes to host you for a special Cultural Evening only for the residents of Doon Valley at Colonel Brown School. The performances in the Cultural Event will include Singers, Dancers, Band Performers, Stand-up Comedians, Poem Recitals, Mime Acts, and Theatre Acts among any other entertainment genres. The event will start at sharp 5:30 pm and will go on till 8:00 pm.
