The season of swachhata never ends because the vision of garbage free cities under Swachh Bharat Mission cannot afford to pause at any point. The passion for urban sanitation is everlasting and hence has engulfed every nook and corner of the country with the commencement of Swachhata Pakhwada. Jan andolan for swachhata continues. Maharashtra is one of the key States when it comes to leading the nation’s sanitation drive. The Ganesh festival is one of the major festivals of Maharashtra. However, in the past, voices of concern have been raised over Ganesh idol immersion and for making it as eco-friendly as possible. Hence, young kids stepped up to make that happen.

At the stroke of Swachhata Pakhwada- Swachhata Hi Seva 2023, an inter school competition for Eco-Friendly Ganpati Idol Making and Best made out of Waste competition was organised between 493 schools of Thane city. A total of 22,177 students actively participated and made Ganpati idols using eco-friendly materials and spread awareness on sustainability. The students thoroughly enjoyed the activity. Also, the city corporation organised a Mangroves cleanliness activity under Indian Swachhata League 2.0, where over 2,200 people came together and took a pledge to protect Mangroves and keep their surroundings clean. The local SafaiMitras along with authorities took part in the Mangroves cleanliness drive.

Thane witnessed widespread public participation in various other sanitation activities. City’ssanitation workers along with authorities undertook a massive Red Spot Cleanliness drive at the Thane Railway Station aimed at sensitising the people to not spit in the open and deface public property. More than 1,000 Thanekars participated in the initiative. The Thane Municipal Corporation also organised a Parsik Hill Cleanliness Drive. More than 2,000 citizens, school kids, young girls and boys, men and women joined forces. This cleanliness drive was a huge success as it beautified the Parsik hill and created awareness among the local community. On the eve of the Indian Swachhata League, a novel concept “Ek Minute Thane Sathi” was initiated by Thane. A huge crowd gathered at the Dadoji Konddev Stadium, including 25,000 school students, and took a pledge to dedicate one minute everyday to make Thane swachh.

This Jan Andolan is transforming the face of urban sanitation and galvanizing the spirit of swachhata. People across genders, communities, beliefs, cultures and spheres of life are indulging and celebrating the mass movement of sanitation like a grand festival.

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RKJ/M