ITANAGAR, Sep 15: Arunachal Pradesh on Friday joined rest of the country in launching the ‘Swachhta Hi Seva’–a nation wide sanitation campaign– on the occasion of third anniversary of Swachh Bharat Mission launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during 2014.
Urban Development and Housing Minister Nabam Rebia while launching the programme at Banquet hall here on Friday said that the dream of the Prime Minister for a clean India by 2022 is going to be a reality soon with all cross sections of the society supporting and joining the cleanliness campaign.
Stating that the people of the state have realised the importance of ‘swachhta’, Rebia exhorted the people to participate in the campaign whole heartedly.
“The panchayats and municipal councils should shoulder the responsibilities in imbibing social awareness and civic sense among the people for a clean and green Arunachal,” he said and urged the people to stop polluting the rivers in the state by throwing garbage, which he termed as a ‘crime’.
He also said that the IMC has huge responsibility in keeping the city clean.
Urban Development Parliamentary Secretary Techi Kaso while lauding all stakeholders for improving the rank of Itanagar from third dirtiest city in the country to 216 clean city this year in national ranking further hoped that the rank of the capital city would be among 50 clean cities in the country next year with efforts from every section of the society.
The fortnight-long programme which would culminate on October 2 next has a series of cleanliness activities throughout the state.
Chief Engineer (UD) Taba Tedir and Chief Engineer PHED Toko Jyoti highlighted on “Swachhta” through a Power Point.
Commissioner PHED H K Shalla also spoke on the ocassion
Earlier, Chief Secretary (i/c) Ashish Kundra informed about the 15 days sanitation campaign launched nation wide by the Prime Minister to attain the objective of Swachh Bharat and to mobilise the people to contribute for improvements in the sanitation and cleanliness status of the country.
Later, Rebia flagged off the Swachhta Hi Seva vahan.
Deputy Commissioner (Capital) Prince Dhawan also spoke.
Rebia also launched the nationwide sanitation fortnight at Govt. Secondary School, Mani under Papum Pare district.
Addressing the gathering, Rebia said ‘cleanliness must come out from our own heart and mind as our small contribution towards cleanliness will make big difference in the future’.
Highlighting on benefits of clean environment, Rebia said that we all must strive to achieve the Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of clean and beautiful India.
Further, he said that tourism industry is directly linked to cleanliness and tourism flourishes where there is cleanliness. He advised the people to inculcate the habit of maintaining cleanliness.
Commissioner (PHED & WS) HK Shalla highlighted on the 20-point Cleanliness Protocol for Arunachal Pradesh.
Deputy Commissioner Tai Kaye also informed that swachcha Abhiyan campaign are carried out in full swing in all administrative centres of the district as per the agenda of the Govt.
Earlier, Chief Engineer Toko Jyoti highlighted the main motto of the programme and informed that as per cleanliness protocol of the Arunacahl Pradesh a Swachch Ambassador will keep in every school to propagate the knowledge on importance of cleanliness and sanitation.
Head of Departments, officers and Staffs of PHED & WS, ZPM Doimukh, PRI leaders, School children and villagers of Mani village attened the programme.
A short film on hand wash and award winning ‘”Low cost Twin Pit Toilet Technology” was also screened on the occasion.
Meanwhile, reports of launching the sanitation campaign at district level led by their respective Deputy Commissioners have been received from Palin (Kra Daadi), Bomdila (West Kameng), Roing (Lower Dibang Valley), Yingkiong (Upper Siang), Pasighat (East Siang), Tezu (Lohit), Aalo (West Siang), Khonsa (Tirap), Longding (Longding), Ziro (Lower Subansiri), Hawai (Anjaw), Pangin-Boleng (Siang), Tawang (Tawang), Daporijo (Upper Subansiri), Seppa (East Kameng), Yupia (Papum Pare).
Besides awareness programmes and sanitation pledges, cleanliness and plantation drives were organized after launching the campaign.
‘Swachhata hi Seva’ campaign was also launched at 138 Bn CRPF Hqtr, Sinkiview by Commandant 138 Bn CRPF Paras Nath in the presence of school children and other members of 138 Bn CRPF.
In his address, the Commandant asked the gathering to continue keeping the surroundings clean not only during the coming fortnight but throughout the year. He further said cleanliness should start with oneself and within one’s own surroundings.
A cleanliness drive was also conducted within the camp area on the occasion. (With inputs from DIPROs)
