Srinagar, Aug 03: Three days after Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, inaugurated the Swachhata Pakhwada under the banner “The Shuchita Sangram” at SKICC, an overwhelming public response was witnessed, with over 2.25 million citizens from various parts of Jammu and Kashmir participating in numerous sanitation-related activities.
From bustling district headquarters to the remotest panchayats, enthusiasm for cleanliness was evident through health camps, awareness drives, Nukkad Natak shows, and Swachhata Vans across J&K. In the first three days of the campaign, more than 27,587 activities were conducted, with participants collectively dedicating over 1.4 million minutes to various initiatives, according to the official IT monitoring dashboard (www.shuchitasangram.in) developed by the Directorate of Rural Sanitation, Department of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, J&K.
Mass rallies were held across all 20 districts of J&K, led by ACDs, ACPs, BDOs, and other officers and field officials of the department. Additionally, 645 people downloaded the “Swachhata Pledge Certificates” from the website in the first three days.
Two IEC Vans, dispatched by LG Sinha, travelled through rural areas of the Srinagar district and several panchayats in the Pulwama district, playing a crucial role in spreading messages of cleanliness, raising awareness, and educating the public on hygiene practices.
Several pivotal initiatives were launched during “The Shuchita Sangram” event to promote a culture of cleanliness across J&K. These included a Signature Campaign to engage the community in various sanitation initiatives, and an IT Dashboard for real-time monitoring of sanitation activities, providing transparent and efficient tracking of the campaign’s progress.
Projects such as awareness campaigns, door-to-door collection, source segregation, household composting, and plastic waste management, as part of SBM-G and the Annual Implementation Plan for FY 2024-25, were also launched. An agreement was signed to facilitate the marketing of compost, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and organic waste management.
The campaign also featured a ceremonial planting, “Ek Ped Shaheedon Ke Naam,” symbolizing the community’s tribute to martyrs and underscoring the campaign’s spirit of respect and remembrance.
On this occasion, six outstanding sanitation workers and two hospitality entities were honoured under the “Swachhata Green Leaf Rating” (SGLR) for their exemplary contributions to cleanliness. This recognition celebrates the dedication and hard work of individuals and organizations committed to a cleaner environment.
“The Shuchita Sangram” marks a significant milestone in J&K’s journey toward a cleaner and healthier environment. The two-week campaign aims to instill a strong sense of responsibility among citizens, encouraging active participation in sanitation efforts and upholding cleanliness values in daily life. This initiative reflects the collective resolve of the government and people of J&K to achieve the vision of a Swachh J&K.
