Arunachal Pradesh Governor BD Mishra on Saturday launched the ‘Swachhta Hi Seva’ movement, the ‘fortnight cleanliness campaign’ in the State from the Mani Village near here.
The campaign for a Swachh Bharat or Clean India will now be made into a movement which aims to ensure a high standard of cleanliness across the country before Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary on October 2, 2019.
The Governor, along with Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, PHED Minister Wangki Lowang, Environment and Forests Minister Nabam Rebia along with Gaon Burahs commenced the cleanliness drive by cleaning the Government Secondary School campus.
To mark the occasion, he also planted a ‘Bottle Palm’ sapling.
Addressing a public meeting the site, the Governor congratulated the people for their contribution in making Arunachal Pradesh, particularly the rural Arunachal Open Defecation Free.
He said if every citizen of the State maintains the momentum and spirit, of cleanliness the pressure on the hospital will decrease.
“We want our hospitals free from patients,” he said while highlighting the benefits of the cleanliness.
Citing examples of cleanliness practices witnessed by him in developed countries, the Governor urged upon the people to emulate the healthy practices of keeping the environment clean.
While suggesting ways to sustain the mission of Swachh Bharat, the Governor said that healthy habits and practices must be inculcated amongst the children. He called upon the parents, guardians and teachers to take the lead to educate the younger generation. He also called upon the public, particularly social leadership, NGOs and Community organizations to promote cleanliness in the society.
Mishra further said that it is the farsightedness of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that India is moving towards becoming clean, a healthy and a flourishing nation.
For country to develop, healthy and prosper, we have to understand the importance of practice, imbibe and promote habits of cleanliness of mind and body, the Governor emphasized.
He hoped that each and every member of the society will make personal contribution in making India clean.
Among others, Papum Pare deputy commissioner, Dr Joram Beda, government officials, public leaders, members of NGOs, Gaon Burahs, students and general public were present on the occasion.
Deputy Chief Minister, Chowna Mein launched the fortnight long movement for the Capital City at Gandhi Park in Niti Vihar near here.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Mein lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing the sanitation in to a movement with the launching of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan on August 15 in the year 2014 which became a national movement and largely accepted by the masses across the nooks and corners of the country.
He said that the effect of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is visible in the State too as the Capital City which was ranked amongst the third dirtiest city in the year 2016 has significantly improved its position and placed in the 216th cleanest city of India by the Swachh Survekshan (survey) 2017. The deputy chief minister expressed hope that with the current motion and participation in the Swachh Abhiyan by the people, the capital city will further improve its position in the cleanliness chart.
Mein further said, “We should not stop the cleanliness drive with the end of Swachhta Hi Seva Movement but we need to develop a civic sense and make it a habit to keep our surroundings clean all the time.”
Echoing the voice of PM Narendra Modi, he said that to keep the nation clean will be our greatest tribute to the Father of Nation.
On the occasion, the DCM also offered floral tributes to the statue of Mahatma Gandhi at Gandhi Park, Niti Vihar and also administered Swachh Abhiyan pledge to the people.
MLA Techi Kaso, DC Prince Dhawan and a host of officers and officials from Urban Development department were present on the occasion.
Later, Mein also attended the statewide launching of Swachhta Hi Seva Movement by the Governor Brigadier (Retd) Dr B D Mishra at the Mani Govt Secondary School near Doimukh.