Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 2: Governor Satya Pal Malik participated in the state level grand finale/felicitation ceremony of “Swachhata Hi Seva” campaign organized jointly by the Housing and Urban Development Department and School Education Department at the SKICC here today.
“Swachhata Hi Seva” campaign was launched from 15th September-2nd October 2018, as a precursor to the launch of the year long 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi and in the run up to the 4th anniversary celebrations of “Swachh Bharat Mission”.
The campaign witnessed large scale participation by the citizenry in the form of voluntary service for cleanliness, clean and green drives, Swachhta pledges, rallies, Swachhta competitions in educational institutions, wall paintings, plogging drives (picking garbage while jogging) etc.
The winners of various competitions organized during this campaign were felicitated by Governor on the occasion.
Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, Advisor to Governor, BVR Subrahmanyam, K.B. Agrawal, Financial Commissioner HUDD, Ajit Kumar Sahu, Secretary School Education, among many other distinguished guests were present on the occasion.
Paying tributes to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary, Governor observed that Mahatma Gandhi had cleanliness and sanitation closest to his heart. He had made cleanliness and sanitation an integral part of the Gandhian way of living and mentioned that Mahatma Gandhi had a rule in his ‘ashram’ for self cleaning of toilets. Governor noted that all religions and philosophies of the world have emphasized importance of cleanliness and hygiene for the overall health of individuals and societies.
Governor congratulated the State Administration for their efforts in making the State 100% Open Defecation Free. He observed that due to sustained efforts of all stakeholders, Jammu and Kashmir has achieved 100 per cent toilet coverage and has become Open Defecation Free (ODF), one year in advance. He also lauded the efforts of Education Department in this regard.
Governor emphasized that cleanliness is most important for physical well-being and a healthy environment and it is essential for everyone to learn about cleanliness, hygiene, sanitation and the various diseases that are caused due to poor hygienic conditions. He expressed special concern for women who suffer from health ailments due to lack of toilet facilities in homes. He observed that cleanliness generates a positive frame of mind which is crucial for making us lead a purposeful life.
Governor gave away cash prize to the students of Govt Higher Secondary School Kothi Bagh for their quality song and skit performances on the occasion.
Documentaries of events organized under the campaign by the HUDD and School Education Department were screened on the occasion and ‘Swachhta’ pledge was taken by all participants.
Meanwhile, as a part of the nation-wide campaign ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ under Swachh Bharat Mission ( Urban) on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, the Department of Housing & Urban Development in collaboration with various stakeholders organized a grand sanitation drive (Plogging-Jogging with litter picking) here today.
The drive was flagged-off by the Chief Secretary, BVR Subrahmanyam from the Tagore Hall-Iqbal Park Srinagar early in the morning in presence of a large number of senior Government functionaries, prominent citizens, members of NGOs, SHGs, students and other stakeholders of the society.
The enthusiastic participants, especially youth, students and volunteers walked through the Lala Ded Hospital, Maharaja Bazar, Amira Kadal, Lal Chowk and culminated at Sher-e-Kashmir Park. During the walk, the participants picked up the garbage on the way and also spread the mass awareness on sanitation and appealed the people to maintain cleanliness in the city and their surroundings.
Interacting with the participants, the Chief Secretary said that sanitation is mandatory to ensure healthy and clean environment. He called upon all the stakeholders to become part of nation-wide Swachhata campaign under Swachh Bharat Mission and contribute for the noble cause in maintaining the Jammu and Kashmir a neat and clean State.
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