Calls for making it cleanest market in country
SHILLONG: The second anniversary of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan saw Meghalaya Governor V Shanmuganathan wielding the broom at Iewduh (Bara Bazaar), which is infamous for the filth and heaps of garbage.
In a function held to mark the occasion at Iewduh, Khlieh Iew, here on Sunday, Shanmuganathan not only led from the front as far as the cleaning job was concerned but also implored people to contribute to the cause of cleanliness.
He felt that to maintain cleanliness people’s cooperation was a must. “It is all about cleaning the mind. Every Indian must be pure in his thoughts and actions,” he said.
Sharing his experience Shanmuganathan said that markets outside the country are clean and well looked after and he observed that Iewduh, being a traditional market, can attract tourists if people here take the responsibility of improving the look of the market.
Stating that Meghalaya, which boasts of Mawlynnong, is already ahead in terms of cleanliness, the Governor said Iewduh can be made clean by following in the footsteps of the villagers who catapulted Mawlynnong to the global map.
“Iewduh can be the cleanest market in the entire country. If we can make Mawlynnong as one (of the cleanest village) then why not Iewduh,” the Governor said.
Meanwhile, Urban Affairs Minister Ronnie V. Lyngdoh termed the Governor’s visit to Iewduh as historic. He lamented that the littering in and around the traditional market does not give a good impression of the State.
Among other dignitaries present were Roshan Warjri, Health and Family Minister, H. Lyngdoh, Executive Member in charge of Market, Y. Tsering, Additional Chief Secretary, P. S. Dkhar, Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills, H. M. Shangpliang, Secretary, Social Welfare Department, M. Kharkrang, SP, East Khasi Hills, Paiem Ricky Nelson Syiem, Syiem Hima Mylliem.
Meanwhile, the Public Health Engineering department observed the Swachh Bharat Mission at Sacred Groves, Mawphlang, where the governor was the Chief Guest.
Iewduh a hub of activities
Meanwhile, within a span of a week, several VVIPs have lined up in Iewduh. It all started with Urban Affairs Minister Ronnie Lyngdoh’s inspection on September 26.
Again, for the first time Chief Minister Mukul Sangma visited Iewduh on September 29 where he negotiated through the narrow lanes and by-lanes of the market.
And finally on Sunday the Governor was a visitor to the place.
