Surat Municipal Corporation Unveils 'My Dear MaNaPa' Portal to Foster Civic Engagement Among Students
The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has taken a significant step towards enhancing civic participation by announcing the proposed launch of a dedicated portal named My Dear MaNaPa (My Dear Municipal Corporation). This initiative was unveiled as part of the annual draft budget presented recently, aiming to actively involve the younger generation and educators in the city's development processes.
Portal Access and Target Audience
The portal is specifically designed to be accessible to students, teachers, and principals from Class 9 to 12 of Suman Schools, which are operated by the SMC. Each participant will be provided with unique User IDs to log into the platform, where they can view relevant details about the municipal corporation's activities and services.
Objectives and Functionality
The primary goal of the My Dear MaNaPa portal is to ensure the participation of students and the teaching community in developing and improving services for Surat's residents. Through this digital platform, users can:
- Submit suggestions on what additional measures the SMC can undertake.
- Provide inputs on which existing services could be expanded or made more effective.
- Access hard copies for submitting their ideas, ensuring inclusivity for those who may prefer non-digital methods.
Official Statement and Future Plans
Surat Municipal Commissioner M Nagarajan emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, "Through this concept, we can gather more ideas from students and others regarding what more can be done in the city and which services could be expanded to make them more effective for the public. We will collect all suggestions and, based on feasibility, work on implementing them."
This move is part of a broader effort to leverage the innovative perspectives of the youth and educational professionals, fostering a collaborative approach to urban governance. By integrating feedback from these groups, the SMC aims to enhance public services and address community needs more efficiently.
The launch of the My Dear MaNaPa portal represents a forward-thinking strategy in civic engagement, positioning Surat as a city that values and incorporates the voices of its younger citizens in decision-making processes.
