Green Kerala Express – Panchayats compete on reality show!
Published December 11, 2009 | Now here is a rare occasion when the ruling LDF and UDF have jointly given the go-ahead for a new programme. All 999 Kerala panchayats will vie for a grand prize of 1 crore on a social reality show called “Green Kerala Express”! Interesting right? The show is to be aired on Doordarshan (but of course).
The aim of the show is to encourage sustainable development models, formed by local government bodies or panchayats. Not to be left behind are the 57 municipalities and 5 corporation bodies who will compete in their own categories. Each local body has to send in a 5-minute video of their achievement to the jury.
The excitement as can be expected will be in the panchayat race we all know how horrible the corporations and municipalities are in enabling hygiene in public places. The jury will shortlist 150 out of 999 panchayats in the first round. Representatives of the short-listed panchayat will be invited to make presentations and interactive sessions will follow with weekly prizes for green heroes, green ideas and technologies.
Finally, only one per category wins and goes away with a crore as prize money. A lot of good film-makers are likely to be in demand. For a few talented people a chance to showcase their ideas and an opportunity to present their village or town in a new light to the rest of the state. The politicians and the central government all watching is a good thing indeed!
