Coimbatore: The primary objective of RAAC (Residents Awareness Association of Coimbatore) is simple: to create a good, pleasant and serene living atmosphere conducive for leading a healthy and peaceful life. Coimbatore and its suburbs have the capability for such life. However, the ever expanding city puts a stress of the atmosphere which can have possible serious negative effects even in the short term. It is an organization formed by small areas in Coimbatore but the organization has certainly grown much bigger than their initial focus.
This reporter had an opportunity to view their top initiative - "Alagana Kovai" at the town of Madukarai. RAAC's website says the initiative - "is supposed to be a collective effort by committed citizens". However, the reality is that there is tremendous amount of campaigning required to bring the awareness witnessed at the initiative carried out today.  The organized has tapped the students of Sr Krishna College of Arts & Science and the local panchayat in the initiative. The result is tremendous: The madukarai market area was close to being spotless after the project is carried out. "We hope our efforts will bring awareness among the general public in keeping the place clean" says the coordinator of the program Mr.Alagarsamy who is also a professor of social work department at the college. The college has teamed up with ITC in an experimental recycling program which Mr.Alagarsamy hopes to make useful to the genral public. Spotted on the area was the local counseller (of the 10th ward) Mr.Shanmuga Raja. "We do not have the sufficent funds to employ enough workers at the panchayat. We still have the same staff level almost 12 years ago while the population of Madukarai almost tripled. We are thankful to what RAAC is doing for our town". The success of this initiative will be measured based on how the citizens here would keep it clean from tomorrow, something this reporter is committed to check periodically.