On Your Mark Get Set Sweep! Sun No 1 of ‘RKM Swacch M’luru Abhiyan’ Kicks Off

On Your Mark Get Set Sweep! Sun No 1 of ‘RKM Swacch M’luru Abhiyan’ Kicks Off

On Your Mark Get Set Sweep! Sunday No 1 of ‘Ramakrishna Mission (RKM) Swacch Mangaluru Abhiyan’ Kicks Off

Mangaluru: With no doubt we can say that Ramakrishna Mission’ is on a ‘Mission’ to Make ‘Namma Mangaluru, Swachha Mangaluru’- With nearly 4000 volunteers, 400 drives, over 40 teams and nearly 40 weeks, Ramakrishna Mission is looking forward to accomplishing their goal in making Mangaluru much cleaner than it was before. This campaign which was initiated on the 1st February 2015, has been going on in full swing, with many volunteers from Schools/colleges/organizations coming forward to take part in this unique project in order to make Mangaluru a cleaner city, under the campaign “Swachh Bharath” launched by PM Modi. And after completing 3rd Phase of “Swacchata Abhiyana”, Ramakrishna Mission has now launched into its 4th Phase of this Abhiyana- and this is the First Sunday of the “Swachh Mangaluru Abhiyan” among the nearly 40 weeks that are scheduled during this year’s campaign, which concludes before the monsoon starts.

This is a very good initiative taken by Ramakrishna Mission with a strong motto to see that Mangaluru is kept clean under PM Modi’s “Swachh Bharath Abhiyan”. Yes, volunteers under the guidance of Ramakrishna Mission are doing a great job of cleaning, but it’s also the responsibility of the general public to see that they don’t litter the place again which has been cleaned with dedication and community service by these volunteers. The members and volunteers of Ramakrishna Mission took PM Modi’s words very seriously and did launch this Clean Drive Project of nearly 40 weeks, in order to have Clean India/Clean Mangaluru. The Initiative of the Cleanliness Drive includes: Cleaning roads and public places; Awareness programme through distribution of literature ; Urgent & minor road repairs; Clearance of drainage and garbage; Renovation of dilapidated and neglected bus shelters; Painting and beautification of compound wall; Clearing non-usable dumping places for public utility; Developing gardens and planting saplings at road medians; Adopting a few roads; Planting saplings on roadsides; and Cleaning and painting in the govt. school premises.

The inaugural programme of “Swachh Mangaluru Abhiyan” was held on Sunday, 5 November at the Ramakrishna Math mini hall, where volunteers of the Swachh Campaign namely students of Sahyadri College, Srinivas College, members of Ramakrishna Mission, Nivedetha Balaga, Sharada Mahila Mandala and others participated. The programme began with prayer chanting by Brahmacharis of the Math, followed by welcome address by M R Vasudev Rao, the convener of the campaign. Capt Ganesh Karnik gave a brief description of the Swachh Campaign, followed by an address by Swami Jitakamanandaji -the Secretary of Ramakrishna Math, Mangaluru where he said, ” As our main intention is to create awareness among the masses about cleanliness, and we want to involve more and more public in the drives by forming different group of volunteers participating in the drives in different parts of the City. We have already reached our 4th Phase of Swacchata Abhiyana and I wish to thank all the volunteers and well-wishers and patrons for their unstinted support. Today being the First Sunday of the nearly 35-40 Sundays left during the Swachh Mangaluru Abhiyan, I invite all the interested persons, who feel in their small action lies in the future of our great nation, to come forward and join this mighty cause”.

The programme was inaugurated by lighting of the lamp by chief guest Swami Muktidanandaji, Trustee of Ramakrishna Math & Mission Head Quarters in Howrah, West Bengal; along with other guests of honor namely- Swami Sarvasthanandaji, the President of Vedanta Sangha/Institute-London; Swami Jitakamananda -the Secretary of Ramakrishna Math, Mangaluru; Prasad-Group General Manager, MRPL, Mangaluru; Capt Ganesh Karnik- Coordinator; MR Vasudev Rao-Conevner among others. In his inaugural address Swami Muktidanandaji said, ” This Ashram has been progressing and reaching greater heights under the leadership and guidance of Swami Jitakamanandaji, and we should all commend them for their efforts and hard work in promoting this Cleanliness Campaign. Our home, our surrounding, our streets, our City- we should all think and try to keep it clean because next to Godliness is cleanliness. It’s nice to see all you youngsters, adults and seniors have come forward with dedication and commitment to a part of this Swachhata Abhiyan. Best of luck and May Swami Vivekananda bless you all”.

Swami Sravasthanandaji also speaking said, “Why only Ramakrishna Mission? Cleaning the nation is not a day’s job. Neither can this be achieved by just govt agencies. It demands participation from each and every responsible citizen. Ramakrishna Mission has always stood in the forefront in the service of the society. They seize this opportunity to serve the nation through leading from the front by taking up this cleanliness drive. Coupled with their concern is the special request from Govt. of India. Ramakrishna Mission which has taken up this initiative for a clean Mangaluru City need to be complimented, and their last three phases of this Campaign have made big achievements and accomplished their goals. I wish this 4th Phase of the Abhiyan all success”.

Prasad of MRPL in his speech said that his company is proud to be associated with Ramakrishna Mission for the last two-plus years, and will continue to support this cleanliness campaign in future also- and MRPL has already approved Rs 10 crore for various Swachh Abhiyans to be conducted by various organizations, including Ramakrishna Mission. The vote of thanks was delivered by Swami Ekagamanandaji, Co-ordinator of Ramakrishna Mission Abhiyan. The First Sunday of Swachh Mangaluru Abhiyan drive was flagged off by all the dignitaries who were on the dais during the formal inaugural ceremony- the flag off was done near the entrance of the Math- followed by the respective teams getting into the cleaning work in and around Mangaladevi area.

In conclusion, the main prop of Ramakrishna Mission programme has been the dedication and commitment of youth volunteers and students from different institutions in and around Mangaluru. Added to their dynamism is the devoted service and zeal of our devotees – well-wishers and friends who have continually supported the Ashram. Govt. officials and agencies have also lent all the possible help in this programme.

If anyone is interested in joining this “Swachh Mangaluru for Swachh Bharath” programme undertaken by Ramakrishna Mission can call 0824-2414412 or 9448353162