Our Bureau
Army, BSF, ITBP, civil administration and general public participate in cleanliness drives across State
SHILLONG/ NONGSTOIN: Wielding the broom, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched the India’s biggest-ever cleanliness drive Swachh Bharat (Clean India) Campaign that is expected to cost nearly Rs.2 lakh crore.
Simultaneously, the Campaign was kicked-off in Meghalaya with Governor K.K. Paul administering the Cleanliness Pledge on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti at Polo Ground Parking Lot.
The programme, organized by the State Government, was attended by Ministers Roshan Warjri, A.L. Hek and Ampareen Lyngdoh, Parliamentary Secretary Brigady Marak, Chief Secretary P.B.O. Warjri, Additional Chief Secretaries B.K. Deb Barma and K.S. Kropha, others high official of the State Government, public and school students.
Speaking on the occasion, the Governor extolled the contributions of Mahatma Gandhi for freedom and honour of the people.
“Mahatma Gandhi’s entire life has been a model for all of us and his action has a lesson for the entire nation and whenever Gandhiji faced a crisis in life he took it up as a challenge and ultimately came out stronger because he took up the path of righteousness,” stated the Governor.
The highlights of the day included presentation of certificates for Green volunteers under the Mission Green to 44 youths who have shown exemplary performance to make Meghalaya clean and green, distribution of prizes to the winners of Swachh Bharat Run organised by the Sport and Youth Affairs Department early in the day followed by planting of tree saplings by the Governor and other dignitaries around the Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex.
Winners of Swachh Bharat Run included Shynsharlang Wahlang, Bating Star Kharjarin, Marso Kyndait, Laenbok Ramsiej, Evamary Ramsiej, Waleisha Ramsiej, Maikhel Sing Ramsiej, Jomsing Star Ramsiej, Tomy Shylla, Kyntimon Marwein, Darishisha Iangjuh, Dateibankynmaw Marwein, Talantding Wahlang, Badonsing Tham and Gerald Pde.
Joining in the campaign, officers, soldiers and families of 58 Gorkha Training Centre and Military Hospital, Shillong, enthusiastically participated in Swachh Bharat Campaign. Pledge taking for a clean India by all present was the commencement of the event at both the Army establishments. Cleanliness drive of the surrounding areas appeared to catch the interest of the children. Following this, a group of about 150 officers soldiers and families from 58 GTC Shillong took part in the run for ‘Swachh Bharat’ Campaign organized at Laitumkhrah by the State Government.
Also joining the mission, all the officers and jawans of 67 Batallion CrPF gathered at the unit headquarters and thereafter the jawans undertook a cleaning drive.
Border Security Force (BSF) Shillong also organized a cleaning programme as part of Clean India Campaign. Officers of BSF along with all troops of Meghalaya Frontier and local inhabitants of the nearby villages whole hearted participated in this campaign. In addition to the cleaning of own campuses, BSF personnel also carried out extensive cleaning of road from main gate of BSF campus, Umpling to Nongmynsong chowk, and the areas adjoining both sides of road upto Umpling BSF campus. The cleaning drive was also carried out in Tura and Jowai BSF campuses.
To create awareness about the importance of hygiene and sanitation among local people, banners and hoardings were displayed at prominent places around the BSF campuses.
Meanwhile, all the officers, SOs and personnel of Frontier Headquarters North East, ITBP, assembled for a cleanliness pledge which was presided over by Satpal, DIG and I.S. Duhan, DIG, ITBP.
Swachh Bharat Campaign was also observed by the Shillong Cantonment Board with a large number of children and the local populace celebrating Swachh Bharat mission.
The event commenced with a Pledge for Clean India, administered by CEO, L. Hrahsel, in the office of the Cantonment Board, Shillong.
This was followed by a run for awareness for a clean India, flagged of by Brigadier Navjot Singh, Station Commander and President of Shillong Cantonment Board, Shillong.
190 participants registered for the run with Vidika Gupta (five-and-half years) and Retired Colonel Thapa (73 years) being the youngest and oldest participant respectively.
Prizes were given those standing in the top four ranking in various categories. The prize winners included Saurav Ghatraj, Priya Kumari, Savan Biswas, Anju Kumari, Sandeep Gurung and Seema Roy.
Prizes were also awarded for Slogan competition held on the occasion with Ahmed Qureshi, Banisha Warbah Nafisa Parveen winning the top three prizes respectively.
Later, a tree plantation drive was also organised.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District, in collaboration with the NSS Unit of Jaintia Eastern College, Khliehriat, organized the Clean India Campaign in various localities of Khliehriat on Thursday.
The Deputy Commissioner flagged off an open marathon participated by about 100 boys and girls earlier in the day. Skit presentation and other variety shows were also organised. The programme ended with all participants and public taking part in taking the Pledge for Swachh Bharat, followed by prize distribution to all the winners of different competitions.
The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, West Khasi Hills District and the people of Nongstoin town laso organized a cleaning drive at Nongstoin Market here on Thursday. The cleaning drive saw active participation of all the shop owners, students NGOs and department head of Nongstoin.
The cleaning drive was attended by Deputy Commissioner in charge, P.D. Sangma, Sordar of New Nongstoin, Srally Rashir, ADC J.P. Lakiang, EAC S. Warjri EAC, PHE EE A. Lyngkhoi, heads of various departments, students and members of the Apple Society.
The Clean India Campaign was also initiated by the Block Development Officer of Mawshynrut C&RD Block, M.B.Tongper in Riangdo and Shallang markets where people participated in a cleaning drive.
Residents from all walks of life took up the cause of cleaning the garbage strewn by neighbourhood shops into the market, besides cleaning the town. The drive also saw the participation of the shop owners and local people of the area.
Joining the rest of the nation in the launch of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, a district-wide cleanliness drive was undertaken by the people in the government offices, schools, colleges and the villages in South West Garo Hills District on Thursday.
In this connection, the district administration also organized a cleanliness drive under Clean & Green Campaign on Thursday morning at Betasing bazaar, which was still filled with the debris after being wiped out during the recent floods.
Hundreds of people including the Deputy Commissioner Ram Singh, Superintendent of Police R. Muthu, other district officials, bazaar committee members, self help group members, village elders and shoppers as well as the shopkeepers participated in the cleaning drive.
The cleanliness pledge was also taken by all the participants before carrying out the cleanliness drive.
The Swachh Bharat campaign was also conducted by the North East Postal Circle on Thursday. Under the active leadership of the Director Postal Service (Head Quarters), the Officers and staff of Office of the Chief Postmaster General, North East Postal Circle, Shillong, Meghalaya took a pledge and a massive cleaning drive was carried out at the premises of the Office of the Chief Postmaster General, Shillong. Officers and Staff participated actively and contributed to the Swachh Bharat campaign.
Joining the fold of “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan”, IIM Shillong also launched a cleanliness campaign on Thursday, as a gesture to pay tribute to the Father of the Nation.
The Campaign was inaugurated by Prof. Natalie West Kharkongor, Faculty Coordinator of the EcoBiz Club at IIM Shillong, joined by R.C. Saxena, CAO of IIM Shillong.
Meanwhile, officers and staff of the North Eastern Council, Shillong took the cleanliness pledge on Thursday in pursuant to Clean India campaign of the Government of India with great enthusiasm and participation.
The pledge was followed by cleaning of office rooms, premises, and halls by Secretary NEC, all officers and staff of NEC. The Swachhta Pledge was taken in both Hindi and English read out by Dr. S. Chaudhari, Director (Administration).