Pune: Pimpri Chinchwad City Honored in China for Navi Disha Initiative

Varad Bhatkhande
Guangzhou, 8th December 2023: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has achieved international recognition and honour for its ‘Navi Disha’ (New Direction) initiative, securing a medal in the prestigious Guangzhou International Awards.

The ceremony took place at the Guangzhou Secretariat in China, where PCMC officials were present to accept the accolade. The initiative’s success, driven by civic participation and cooperation, has catapulted Pimpri Chinchwad onto the global stage, emphasizing its commitment to innovation, efficiency, and sustainable urban development.

Deputy Commissioner of PCMC Urban Community Development Department Ajay Charthankar, Assistant Commissioner of Health Department Yashwant Dange, Group Coordinator Vaishali Kharat, and CTO Pragya Thakur accepted the award on behalf of Commissioner Shekhar Singh. The honour is attributed to the ‘Navi Disha’ initiative, which focuses on community toilets and involves women’s self-help groups, providing them with financial compensation and economic opportunities.

The Navi Disha initiative aims to empower women by entrusting them with the maintenance of community toilets in the city. The international community recognized the initiative’s impact and success, as it not only contributes to cleanliness but also provides financial income to women. The award underscores the city’s commitment to efficient administration, cleanliness, and women’s economic empowerment.

A technical committee of international experts evaluated 193 cities from 54 countries from September 11th to 14th, 2023. The criteria included innovation, effectiveness, reference, and replication. Pimpri Chinchwad stood out among the final 15 selected cities, showcasing its dedication to transformative urban development and sustainable practices.

Commissioner Shekhar Singh expressed gratitude to the city residents for their civic participation and cooperation, which led to this global recognition. He described the award as a significant step towards transformative urban development. Singh highlighted the inclusive commitment and sustainable development reflected in the Navi Disha initiative, attributing the success to citizens, representatives, and all stakeholders. Additionally, the Commissioner outlined plans to involve more women in the initiative, with a threefold increase in beneficiaries anticipated in the coming months.

Pimpri Chinchwad shares this esteemed honour with 14 other cities worldwide, including Antalya, Bogotá, Cape Town, Gwangju, Chalandri, Iztapalapa, Jakarta, Kampala, Kazan, Mannheim, Ramallah, São Paulo, Tehran, and Xianning. This recognition positions Pimpri Chinchwad as a global leader in innovative urban development and community-driven initiatives.