With the aim of making Mettupalayam a better place to live in, a group of 30 like-minded residents, led by Mettupalayam Municipal Chairman D. Satheesh Kumar, have joined hands and formed the ‘Namma Mettupalayam’ group. Jaikumar M., Head of Department and Assistant Professor of Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore, is the group coordinator.

Members of the group include lawyers, teachers, politicians, and entrepreneurs.

At their debut meeting, the members had a brainstorming session. They discussed the various ways to make Mettupalayam a better place and to promote it as a tourist-friendly place. “Our priority is to clean up the city and the Bhavani River. We also intend to work towards making the water body near the Vana Bhadhrakali Amman Kovil safe for the devotees.” Mettupalayam Municipal Chairman D. Satheesh Kumar said. In addition to increasing their members, the group also plans to plant more trees all over Mettupalayam and create awareness on organ donation.

In the next meeting, the members will discuss strategies to raise funds for its activities and find corporate sponsors. “Our big project will be implemented onOctober 2, Gandhi Jayanthi day, to coincide with the anniversary of Swachh Bharat movement. We plan to clean up the public spaces in Mettupalayam,” Satheesh said. Pamphlets, stressing on the importance of keeping the city clean, will be distributed by the group.