The spirit of swachhata is quite high these days as the Swachhata Pakhwada- Swachhata Hi Seva 2023 campaign is peaking across the nation. Citizens across the length & width of the country are engaged in and enthralled by the mass movement for sanitation during the fortnight-long pakhwada. People are already gearing up for the ‘Ek Tareekh, Ek Ghanta, Ek Sath’ citizen-led shramdaan for swachhata slated for 1^st October 2023. As appealed by Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi to dedicate one hour to swachhata and do shramdaan from 10 am on 1^st October to pay the swachhanjali to Bapu on the eve of his Jayanti. It is heartening to witness over 13 crore citizens participating in the Swachhata Pakhwada.

Joining in swachhata drives, are various reputed educational institutes in Puducherry. A Swachhata Hi Seva 2023- Youth vs Garbage - Source Segregation Awareness Orientation Programme was conducted at St. Patrick Higher Sec School in Oulgaret. The housekeeping staff of the school, underwent an Information, Education and Communication session during the event. They were made aware about effective techniques about source segregation of waste as well as waste management. Also, over 1,000 students were in attendance, who were explained the importance of source segregation and overall sanitation and took a swachhata pledge too. Additionally, blue bin and compost bins were distributed in the school. St. Patrick Higher Secondary School was declared a 'Zero Waste Campus'.

Following the event at St. Patrick Hr Sec School, similar events were held at Muthuratnam High School and later at Indira Gandhi Government Higher Secondary School, Indiranagar falling under the aegis of the same municipality. Students took keen interest in the awareness programme and expressed their eagerness to learn more about best practices of sanitation and how they can put them to best use in day-to-day life.

It is imperative to spread the message of swachhata and make sure that it reaches every nook and corner of the country to inspire conscious and large-scale public participation and mobilization to galvanize the Jan Andolan for swachhata. It is of utmost importance to foster a sense of responsibility among common citizens, especially young kids and school/college students so that the habit of swachhata can be inculcated at a young age.

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RKJ/M

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