we protect what we are proud of. When a public space is no longer an anonymous piece of land but is tied to the identity of the people who live around it, they will naturally become its guardians. “Mera Shehar, Meri Pehchan” moves beyond one-time clean-up drives to foster a long-term relationship between citizens and …
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Core Philosophy: This project is built on a simple, powerful idea: we protect what we are proud of. When a public space is no longer an anonymous piece of land but is tied to the identity of the people who live around it, they will naturally become its guardians. “Mera Shehar, Meri Pehchan” moves beyond one-time clean-up drives to foster a long-term relationship between citizens and their environment.
Project Goal: To create a network of clean, beautiful, and vibrant community-owned public spaces across India, transforming areas of neglect into symbols of local pride and fundamentally shifting the public’s attitude towards civic ownership.
How It Works: The “Adopt-a-Spot” Model
This project invites groups of passionate citizens to formally “adopt” a public space in their locality for a minimum period of six months, taking complete ownership of its transformation and maintenance.
Target Spaces for Adoption:
Neglected neighborhood parks and playgrounds.
Public walls used for spitting, urination, or illegal posters.
Areas around bus stops or local landmarks.
Small stretches of riverbanks or lakefronts.
Overlooked public squares or community corners.
Who Can Adopt?
Student Groups: School eco-clubs or college social service teams.
Corporate Teams: As a meaningful, ongoing CSR activity.
Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs): To improve their own locality.
Local Business/Shopkeeper Groups: To beautify the area around their businesses.
Informal groups of friends and family who are passionate about the cause.
Phase 1: The Pledge (Sankalp)
Identify & Register: Teams identify a spot they wish to transform and register on the Letschangeus.com portal. They provide a brief plan and officially become the “Guardians” of that space.
The Launch Event: The project kicks off with a highly visible “Reclaim the Space” event. This is a large-scale cleaning and awareness drive where the team invites local residents, leaders, and media to announce their commitment. This generates initial momentum and community buy-in.
Resource Kit: Your NGO provides a “Pehchan Kit” to the team, containing:
Branded vests/t-shirts for the Guardians.
Cleaning supplies (brooms, gloves, bio-enzyme cleaners).
Color-coded dustbins for waste segregation.
A banner that reads: “This space is proudly adopted by [Team Name] under Project Mera Shehar, Meri Pehchan.”
Phase 2: The Transformation (Parivartan)
This phase is about creative beautification. Teams are encouraged to go beyond just cleaning and truly infuse the space with identity.
Wall Transformation: Convert stained walls into canvases for public art. Paint murals depicting local culture, national heroes, or messages of civic sense.
Green Makeover: Plant native, low-maintenance flowering plants, creepers, or even a small community herb garden. Turn barren patches into lush green spots.
Upcycling & Installation: Use recycled materials (like old tires) to create seating, planters, or play installations. Install benches and ensure proper lighting to make the space safe and inviting.
Phase 3: The Legacy (Sanskriti)
A transformed space is useless if it’s not used. This phase focuses on making the spot a vibrant hub of community life.
Sustained Maintenance: The team creates a weekly roster for watering plants and ensuring the area remains clean, moving from a “drive” to a “habit.”
Community Activation: The Guardians must host at least one community event per month at their spot. This could be anything from a weekend storytelling session for children, a laughter club for seniors, an open-mic night for local artists, or celebrating national festivals.
Digital Storytelling: Teams share their journey—before/after photos, videos of community events—on a dedicated page on your website and social media, creating a powerful library of change stories and inspiring other communities to join.
Recognition & Motivation: To keep the energy high, the project will feature the “Shehar Ke Sitare” (Stars of the City) awards every six months. Teams will be recognized not just for the beauty of their spot, but for their community engagement, sustainability, and the power of their story.
All these projects aim to address urgent social, humanitarian, and environmental challenges by providing targeted support, raising awareness, and empowering affected communities. Whether responding to conflict, promoting justice, supporting education, or protecting the environment, each initiative works towards creating safer, more equitable, and sustainable societies.
The primary beneficiaries vary by project but include vulnerable populations such as displaced civilians, women at risk, children and youth, underserved communities, and those impacted by natural disasters, conflict, or social injustice.
By involving people at the grassroots level, it deepens democratic practices and strengthens civic engagement.
Support can come through donations, volunteering, advocacy, partnerships, or skill-sharing. Raising awareness, amplifying project messages, and engaging in community action are also powerful ways to contribute to lasting change.
Consistent and meaningful engagement through the forum can restore and reinforce public trust in political and governmental institutions.
Featured Endorsements & Contributor Spotlights
“This isn’t just an organisation—it’s a lifeline. I came in feeling powerless, and I left with tools, community, and purpose. I’ve never felt more seen, heard, or empowered.”
“My donation wasn’t just a gift—it became a protest sign, a care package, and a voice for justice. I see exactly where my support goes, and that transparency keeps me coming back.”
“The energy, the action, the community—I joined one event and never looked back. This space gave me the courage to speak out, to show up, and to believe that change starts with us.”
“They show up. For people, for policy, for progress. I’ve watched them support local organisers, amplify the unheard, and respond to crisis without hesitation.”
“From climate justice to mutual aid, their projects make change feel possible—and personal. Being involved has shifted how I see my role in the world. I’m no longer on the sidelines—I’m part of the solution.”
