Ramakrishna Mission’s Mangalore Experiment Model for Nation to Emulate – Dr G S Mariguddi
Mangaluru: Ramakrishna Mission Swacchata Abhiyan’s 34th Shramadan was organized at Kodialbail on 3rd June at 7:30 am. It was flagged off by Dr G S Mariguddi, a famous writer from Belagavi and Sharada D R, a Social Activist & ITBT employee, Bangalore. Swami Jitakamanandaji, famous magician Kudroli Ganesh, Pravin Shetty, Srikanth Rao, Satyavathi Shetty, Sheelamani Rai, Indira, Prof. Sheshappa Amin and many others were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mariguddi said, “After PM Modi gave a call for Swacchata Abhiyan, several institutions and groups took up the drives. But they did not continue and could not sustain. The uniqueness of Ramakrishna Mission lies in its sustained and continuous efforts in carrying out the drives. Along with this, they have maintained the same zeal & intensity as in the beginning so much so that the Mangalore experiment has become a model for the whole nation to emulate. I congratulate the citizens of Mangalore for this on behalf of the writers of North Karnataka.”
After the flagging off, volunteers cleaned the area from Canara First Grade College till M G Road. They also removed overgrown weeds from both sides of the roads & footpaths. Another group cleaned the area from M G Road till SDM college. Members of Sri Sharada Mahila Vrinda along with Chitra Prabhu cleaned both sides of the road from Jail Road to Karangalpady. Volunteers also cleared the drains and footpaths so that rainwater can easily pass through. They also removed heaps of garbage from a corner in C G Kamath Road. The spot has been decorated with flower pots to prevent the public from littering again. Members of Nivedita Balaga under Rathna Alva, Vijayalakshmi & Sheela Shetty cleaned the area from Jail Road till M G Road including the area in front of Ibrose Apartments, parking lots, footpaths & drains.
Several compound walls in the city have been used for pasting posters thus ruining the beauty of the city. Volunteers of Swacch Mangaluru Abhiyan have removed such posters from several compound walls and have given them a facelift with artistic drawings & paintings. For the last one-week, compound walls in M G Road & Canara College have been adorned with paintings and trendy art crafts by the volunteers in an effort to create social awareness among the public and onlookers in society. Vikram Shetty & Shailesh Kotian of Aditattwa Arts and other members of the group are busy in giving them a make-over.
Forming 2 teams of volunteers, several illegal posters and banners were removed from various parts of the city as done every week.
Himmat Singh, Sheela Bhat, Suguna Rai, Kishan Rai, K V Prasad, Indira Pai, Kavitha Pai, Vijaya Shetty Ravi k R and other volunteers actively participated in the Abhiyan. Umanath Kotekar & Dilraj Alva coordinated the volunteers. All the volunteers were provided tiffin after the Abhiyan. MRPL & Nitte Institutions are sponsoring the drive.