MASKMANDU III : I Love My Lungs

Air pollution is highly pronounced in the air of Kathmandu Valley and Valley residents have suffered its consequences for a long time. Concerned voices continue to rise from all sectors time and again amidst formulation of policies and actions to address the problem by the Government. However, immediate collective action is highly essential from the government and general public by taking into account the severity of the problem. Realizing the need of common effort, a week long MASKMANDU 3 was launched with the theme “Ma” this year.  Ma (म) i.e Me; My Responsibilities to ensure My Clean Air Rights is concerned with everyone rising from their individual levels and contributing to combat the serious battle that air pollution is. Coherent with the slogan “I Love My Lungs” for the event, it aims to promote various “म” activities that can help in improving the air quality.

Maskmandu 3 is a week long Campaign started from 8^th February 2018 and ends at 14^th February, 2018. This program aim to bring together stakeholders from diverse background for a series of silent demonstration across the busiest road junctions inside the Valley. This campaign has successfully organized a week-long silent demonstration at busiest road junctions like: Chabahil, Koteshwor, Satdobato, Kalanki and Maitighar. The creative banners, play cards, 3D materials related to air pollution, its cause and effect and its solution were demonstrated at junction during morning peak hour. Thousands of commuters observed the silent demonstration. The campaign was able to motivate pedestrians as more than dozens join the silent demonstrations.

The week-long campaign concluded with the rally and the demonstration on the final day i.e; 14^th February. Around 1000 demonstrators from various backgrounds gathered at Bhrikutimandap from where rally started. The rally moved towards its destination Ratnapark via; Bhadrakali- Sahid Gate- Mahankal- Bir Hospital with shouting slogans like: Be fair, don’t Pollute the Air; We don’t want Maskmandu, we want Kathmandu; Go Green, Keep City Clean; I Care for Clean Air; I love my lungs . The rally end at Ratnapark with signature demonstration of the Maskmandu i.e; everyone acting as dead people when they take out the mask; it symbolized the fact that air pollution causes thousands of dead every year and the citizens can’t survive without mask. The masks were collected in the thread and garland of mask was handed to a  person imitating as Prime Minister. The week-long campaign concluded with the closing remarks from CEN Chairperson; Mr. Bharat Basnet and actor Bipin Karki. As 14^th February is Valentine’s Day, heart shaped balloons with I love my lung play card was handed over to Bipin Karki.