AMPATI: Hundreds of runners, both young and old, participated in the “Swachhta Hi Seva Run” with a message of cleanliness and sanitation which was held at Ampati on Saturday morning.
The Run was organized by the South West Garo Hills District Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) and District Sports Office in collaboration with the Tura Runners’ Club as part of the “Swachhta Hi Seva and Swachhgrahion ke Swachhgrahi – Ek Se Anek” campaign in the district.
South West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner S Ramkumar flagged off the 10 Km Special Run for Clean & Green Ampati while EE, PHE & Member Secretary, J.M.Sangma flagged off the 21 km half-marathon from Ampati to Zikzak and back.
Batsrang A. Sangma of Tura Runners’ Club was the champion of the half-marathon, while Rahul Hajong and Michael Thongnirit bagged the second and third prizes respectively. Maria Christabell Marak and Aloetida Momin were given consolation prizes for being the first two women to complete the half marathon.
In the 10 km category, Unity Sna from Jaintia Hills, Jesia D. Sangma and Rikha Devi Koch bagged the first, second and third prizes respectively. Phenikson Momin, 68 and Avian Sangma, 7 were adjudged the oldest and youngest participant in the male category, while Nebalish P.Sangma, 51 and Elishama Arengh, 9 were the oldest and youngest runners in the female category.
Addressing the gathering Deputy Commissioner Ramkumar expressed his happiness to have received such a good response for the event which was conducted in a very professional manner by the Tura Runners’ Club. While the run gave a platform to promote the sporting talents from the area, the main purpose of the event was to spread the message to the communities to keep their villages clean. While expressing his concern to see plastic bottles and plastic wastes strewn in many places in Garo Hills, the Deputy Commissioner said it was important that people understand that cleanliness is next to godliness and learn to keep our villages and surroundings physically clean. He also informed of the various activities being conducted across the district including mass cleaning drives as part of cleanliness campaign leading up to the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on October 2, next and sought full co-operation of all communities for the success of the campaign.
ADC, Ampati D.D.Shira and EE, PHE, J.M.Sangma were among others who also spoke on the occasion, while the students of Ampati Degree College and SBM(G) team performed a street play on ODF, solid & liquid waste management and cleanliness & hygiene as part of the Swachhta Hi Seva campaign.