Ramakrishna Mission has converted Swacchata Abhiyan into a mass movement – Dr Srikumar Menon
Mangaluru: Ramakrishna Mission Swachata Abhiyan’s 33rd Shramadan was organized in the surroundings of Kadri Park. It was jointly flagged off on 27th May at 7.30 am by Dr Srikumar Menon, Registrar of Yenepoya University and Dr Subrahmanya Shetty in the presence of Swami Jitakamanandaji, Adhyaksha, Ramakrishna Math, Mangaluru. Ramesh Rao, Masa Hiro, Nagesh K, Purushottam Pujari, NRI Vibha Prabhu, Aniruddh Nayak and many others were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Srikumar Menon said, “We appreciate the efforts of Ramakrishna Mission in converting Swacchata Abhiyan into a mass movement. Along with cleanliness drives, the Mission’s efforts to create awareness among the youth and students through various programmes is laudable. Now UGC has also directed the colleges to actively involve students in the cleanliness drives. This will help stop people from littering and spitting anywhere and everywhere. This will go a long way in converting Mangaluru into greener and cleaner city.” Dr Subrahmanya Shetty said, “New India can rise only if cleanliness, discipline and such virtues which are easily seen in foreign countries are imbibed by every Indian. Every Indian who sticks to such rules while abroad should follow them even after his return to India and then only we can realize the dream of cleaner and better India.”
Cleanliness Drive: All the volunteers were divided into 5 groups and works were allotted among them. Drive started in front of Kadri Park. A team of volunteers cleaned the toy train track, walking track & radio Pavilion inside the park. Mehboob Khan & group of volunteers cleaned the area & road leading from Kadri Park to Padua. Dr Dhanesh Kumar & volunteers cleaned the footpaths in front of Kadri Park. Using a JCB, blocks of stone blocking the way on the footpaths were removed and the area was levelled. Shubhoday Alva guided the volunteers.
Removal of banners: There has been a sudden rise in the illegal banners & flex hoardings. They are ruining the beauty of the city and are posing a problem to vehicular traffic too. Volunteers of Swacch Mangaluru divided themselves into 2 teams and removed all such thousands of illegal banners from Kankanadi, Jyothi, Bejai, Agnes, Bendoorwell, Pumpwell, Nanthur, Balmatta and other areas.
Cleanliness of Bus Shelter: In the past volunteers of the Abhiyan had renovated the bus stand in front of Kadri Police Station daily used by passengers. The shelter was today cleaned by the volunteers along with the surrounding spots. Ganesh Prasad Shetty, Krishnaprasad Shetty, Chethana Gadiyar & other volunteers actively participated in this.
Awareness Campaign: Students of Maps College along with ex-corporator Suresh Shetty carried out awareness campaign by distributing awareness handbills to the public in Kadri Park and stressed on the importance of cleanliness and urged the local shopkeepers not to litter in the area.
Srilatha Ullal, Udaya K P, P N Bhat, Sandip Kodikal, Soraj Mangalore, Preetham Mugil, Jagan Kodikal, Vikhyath Savitha Marnad, Koushik Bekal, Mohammad Arif and other volunteers participated in the Abhiyan. All the volunteers were provided tiffin after the Abhiyan. MRPL & Nitte Institutions are sponsoring the drive.
Swami Chidambarananda (Chief Convener)
Contact – Swami Ekagamyanandaji, Convener
Ramakrishna Mission Swacchata Abhiyan
Tel: 9448353162 for more details