There has been a renaissance of swachhata in India over the last nine years after the launch of the largest sanitation drive - Swachh Bharat Mission. The sensitization and emotion for making one’s nation clean is reverberating throughout the country. The Swachhata Pakhwada – Swachhata Hi Seva 2023 has boosted swachhata initiatives in rural and urban India. Over 13 crore people have already joined the Jan Andolan for under the Pakhwada being observed from 15 September till 2nd October (Swachh Bharat Diwas). As the Prime Minister appealed to fellow citizen on Mann Ki Baat for 1 hour of shramdaan for the swachhata at 10 am on October 1 - 'Ek tareekh ek ghanta ek saath'. He said it would be a collective ‘swachhanjali’ to Bapu on the eve of his Jayanti.

With enthusiasm and excitement as always jan andolan is gripping the nation. The North Eastern States of India have displayed enthusiasm and fervour equally. Ever since the launch of the Pakhwada, Meghalaya has organized a number of swachhata campaigns attracting a considerable number of citizens. The State witnessed awareness rally by school students, cleanliness drives in fire service area, school parking lot by the sanitation workers and staff, cutting of roadside shrubs at Pinewalk Area by Cantonment Board staff, cleaning drive in markets by sanitation workers, wall painting initiatives, cleaning and whitewash of roadside drains among others. Several health camps were organized for SafaiMitras and awareness rallies were held too. Nearly, 1,400 citizen volunteers actively participated in various cleanliness activities.

In Sikkim’s Gangtok, cleanliness drive was conducted by the Municipal Corporation at the Lal Bazar Area, near the office of the Project Management Unit. Attended by the staff of the Project Management Unit, DAY NULM and members of Self Help Groups, the area adjacent to the footpath leading to the vegetable market was thoroughly cleaned. Namchi Municipal Council also carried out cleanliness drive in the nearby areas of Namchi Bazar. The area covering the Central Park, New Extension Road, premises of the District Collector’s office and garden were cleaned. The drive was conducted effectively in the presence of the chairman, Namchi Municipal Council, Councillors, MEO, Bazaar committee members, SHGs and staff of Namchi Municipal Council.

In Nagaland, students were seen in action. Continuing to contribute for Swachh Bharat Wokha Town Council, enlisted the students to disseminate information to the public. Staging a street play-cum-awareness in the heart of the Town, the students bellowed messages on swachhata. The street play stressed on how our activities are impacting Mother Earth; improper waste disposal; health hazards of improper waste disposal; menace of single-use plastics, and managing the waste and keeping the surroundings clean.

Ambassa Municipal Council from Tripura organized a cycle yatra on the occasion of World Car Free Day and the rally was led by the youth under the theme of Garbage Free Ambassa and Pollution Free Ambassa. Kailashahar Muncipal council also organized a swachhata rally.

Kumbi and Jiribham in Manipur Sanitation activities like cleaning of waste from the Relief Camp, dry waste segregation activities Wet waste including kitchen wastes were collected separately, drains, roadside, toilets, etc were also cleaned, weedy plants were trimmed and collected in waste vehicles for proper composting at Wet waste plant. A cleanliness campaign was organised at Jiribam Railway Station by Jiribam Municipal Council. Plogging at railway track, cleaning of platforms and approach road from the main road to the platform was conducted. 

Under ongoing Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign, while a sanitation drive was conducted by 33rd Battalion ITBP, Guwahati, Assam. NSS Volunteers from Jorhat and Titabar cleaned their nearby localities, Mizoram besides various Cleanliness activities citizens, Akashvani Aizwal also joined the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign and took a pledge for Cleaner India. In Arunachal Pradesh cleanliness drive was undertaken by 55th Battalion ITBP, at Sela Top.

The Seven Sister States have joined the Swachhata Pakhwada with much fervour and are leaving no stones unturned for Swachh Bharat.

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RKJ/M