Banica Nongrum is in Class V but unlike most children of her age, she is an aware citizen who values cleanliness. She recently won accolades for writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the nationwide cleanliness drive, his pet project, and how the programme has helped students in her school, Ingsaw Government Lower Primary School in Ri Bhoi district.
Banica’s honest and sincere words moved the men in power who adjudged her letter (left) as the third best among thousands received on the occasion of Swachh Hi Seva drive on October 2 under the competition ‘Heroes of School Children for Swachh Bharat’. In the letter, she had thanked Modi for initiating the drive.
Speaking to Sunday Shillong, Banica said she met the Prime Minister in Delhi on October 2 but “he did not say anything”. The national capital also impressed the young citizen because of the clean roads and neighbourhoods.
Banica, who wants to be a teacher, said she would like to be the school brand ambassador under the cleanliness campaign. She also advises her friends on hygiene and sanitation and is proud that her village Ingsaw is clean and people are aware of health hazards caused by an unhygienic lifestyle.
Beside spreading awareness on “swachhta”, Banica likes studying English but does not like to read story books.
Her headmaster, Brightstar Mujai, said it was a proud moment for the school when Banica’s name was announced for the national award.
Banica received the award from the Prime Minister on October 2, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre in the presence of United Nations secretary general Antonio Gutteres.
~ NM