Ramakrishna Mission Ends Swachh Abhiyan! Mluru Looks Much Cleaner Now

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Alfie D'Souza, Pics by Jp, Team Mangalorean.
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Ramakrishna Mission Ends Swachh Abhiyan! Mluru Looks Much Cleaner Now

  • Ramakrishna Mission, Mangaluru concludes 4th Phase of Swachh Mangaluru Abhiyan! And Mangaluru looks Much Cleaner Now than it was nine months ago! Thanks to the efforts put in by the thousands of volunteers, who were determined to make Mangaluru greener and cleaner. With no doubt, we can say that Ramakrishna Mission’ is on a ‘Mission’ to Make ‘Namma Mangaluru, Swachha Mangaluru’

Mangaluru: Ramakrishna Mission Mangaluru has been organizing Swacch Mangaluru Abhiyan for the last four years on special request from PM Narendra Modi and the Govt. Of India. The Abhiyan which was in the 4th phase had a number of groups in different parts of Mangaluru and nearby, actively involved in the cleanliness drive and have been successful in creating an awareness about hygiene and cleanliness among the public. Now they have completed 400 cleanliness drives in the 4th phase on 28 July 2018, and the concluding Ceremony Programme was held in Ramakrishna Math Auditorium. Tremendous positive response from the people for this initiative since its inception vouches for the fact that this movement is by the people and for the people and hence has successfully completed the 4th phase.

4th Phase of the Abhiyan was initiated on 3rd November 2017 and concluded on 28th July 2018. In the 4th phase, RK Mission successfully carried out 4 different kinds of activities under Swacchata Abhiyan – Every Sunday Shramadan; Every Day Awareness Campaign, “Swacch Grama” and “Swacch Manas” for Training programme students of schools which have played a significant role in creating awareness and social concern among the students and citizens. MRPL has sponsored the 4th phase of Swacch Mangaluru Abhiyan. The chief guest for the Concluding Ceremony was Rev Swami Divyanandaji Maharaj-Trustee, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math-Howrah; while guests of honor were-Dr N Vinay Hegde-Chairman, Nitte Education Trust; Capt Ganesh Karnik-Former Member of Legislative Council; Swami Jitakamanandaji-Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission, Mangaluru; M Venkatesh-MD of MRPL, Mangaluru; Akshaya Kumar Sahoo-Director of Finance, MRPL, Mangaluru; D Vedavyas Kamath-MLA Mangaluru South; and Chandrakant Damodar Kulkarni of Pune-Swachh Bharat Volunteer. The programme was inaugurated by lighting the lamp by all these dignitaries.

While Ramakrishna Mission has successfully completed this cleanliness drive, Team Mangalorean feels proud to say that we were there for coverage of the First “Ramakrishna Mission Swachh Mangaluru” project held on 1 February 2015. Mangalorean.com is the FIRST one to publish the report of every event that takes place at Ramakrishna Mission, including the Swachh Mangaluru campaign, and we feel proud to say that we are the FIRST media team to volunteer in this Swachh Abhiyan. Team Mangalorean cherish our association with the management, Swamis of the Ashram, staff and volunteers of Ramakrishna Mission, and we promise to keep friendship and association with the Ramakrishna Mission in the years to come.

Today’s Concluding Ceremony of 4th Phase of Cleanliness Drive began with invoking God’s blessings through a prayer song rendered by Swamis of the Ashram, followed by welcome address by Capt Ganesh Karnik, where he said that 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. It’s nice to note that with the support and encouragement of all the supporters and well-wishers we have accomplished the goal of conducting this cleanliness drive.

In his presidential address, Swami Jitakamananda said, ” As our main intention was to create awareness among the masses about cleanliness, we involved more and more public in the drives by forming different groups of volunteers participating in the drives in different parts of the City. Today, as we have reached a major milestone by concluding our 4th phase with various new projects, we wish to thank all the volunteers and well-wishers and patrons for their unstinted support. RK Mission successfully carried out 4 different kinds of activities under SwacchataAbhiyan – Every Sunday Shramadan; Every Day Awareness Campaign, “Swacch Grama” and “Swacch Manas. Added to the cleanliness drive, we brought awareness on this campaign through magic shows of Kudroli Ganesh, which reached out to the common mass with the message of awareness on cleanliness. We also forward this campaign to the Gram Panchayat, where we involved villagers to keep their surroundings clean.”

“Although we have completed this 4th phase of cleanliness drive, we still 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. Let’s work together towards a Clean Mangaluru and Clean India. Leadership, coordination and commitment were the three main factors that resulted in the success of our project. Volunteers were the pillars and backbone of this project. Not to forget, the media also played a vital role in highlighting our efforts, thereby bringing us applauds and compliments from all over the world. Even the citizens were part of this great mission, without whom this project would not have seen the light of the day. Although we have created awareness about cleanliness among 80% of citizens, we need to try hard to make sure 100% of the citizens get this message. Thank You” added Swami.

Two special persons were honoured on the occasion, namely Sriman Chandrakanth Kulakarni-Pune; {Read: PM’s ‘Real Hero’ of Swachh Bharath, Chandrakant Kulkarni in City – An Exclusive}; and Bhavya Rani for their dedicated services and for being the real ambassadors of Swacchata Abhiyan. Also, four hardworking and dedicated volunteers were also felicitated, namely Avinash Anchan; Masahiro Monoi, a Japanese citizen; Jagan Kodikal; and three and half year old Shawn Ray, who were there every single Sunday morning in the cleanliness drive. 10,750 students had taken part in this Abhiyan this year, from 108 schools-of which 10 schools were selected and presented with mementoes on the occasion. 20 Students who performed well in Swacchata Darshana exams were also awarded.

Venkatesh, the MD of MRPL speaking on the occasion said, ” Tan man dhan! My sincere compliments to Ramakrishna Mission for taking up this initiative of Swachh Mangaluru Abhiyan and MRPL will continue our support to this good cause in the future years too. Swachh Mangaluru should be carried on with full force. Just as we keep our house clean, we should also keep our surroundings clean. Swachh Mangaluru Abhiyan should be a role model to other cities to follow in your footsteps. You can do it, and I am sure Swachh Mangaluru Abhiyan will be a role model for the nation”.

Rev Swami Divyanandaji Maharaj addressing the audience said, ” Better keep yourself clean and bright; you are the window through which you must see the world. An old proverb says, “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” This means that cleanliness comes next to godliness in importance. But true godliness surely means cleanliness of soul and body. It is an absolute necessity for one’s self-respect. Cleanliness of the body is necessary for physical health. No one can keep healthy who is afraid of soap and water. Not only the regular washing of hands and face, but the frequent and thorough bathing of the whole body, and the wearing of clean clothes, are conditions of good health.

“To keep our house and neighbourhood clean is our utmost obligation as it the only remedy available for national health and hygiene. The uneducated people need to be instructed in civics and cleaning surroundings. Cleanliness of the body leads to the cleanliness of the mind, and thereby to the soul. Governments and administrative divisions should engage themselves more seriously and bring to book those who are responsible for littering up the public places. Just as light is a symbol of truth and goodness and darkness of ignorance and evil, so dirt is a symbol of moral evil and cleanliness of moral purity. Sin is dirt, and in all religions, the sinner prays to God for cleaning. I compliment Ramakrishna Mission for their great achievement in Swachh Mangaluru Abhiyan, and I am sure it will be a role model to the entire nation. Let’s all make Swachh as part of our lifestyle,” added Swami Maharaj.

Other dignitaries on the dais- Dr N Vinay Hegde, Akshaya Kumar Sahoo, MLA D Vedavyas Kamath-MLA, and Chandrakant Damodar Kulkarni also spoke and complimented Ramakrishna Mission for their efforts in making Mangaluru Clean and Green. Smitha Shenoy-Lecturer at Besant women’s College compered the programme very professionally. Following the formal programme, a special added attraction was the “Magic Show for Cleanliness” by the internationally acclaimed magician from Mangaluru, Kudroli Ganesh-his magic show not only entertained the students/audience but was very educative too.

In conclusion, 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 seized this opportunity to serve the nation through leading from the front by taking up this cleanliness drive. The Initiative of the Drive included: 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.

Yes, with PM Modi and his government launching a mission called, Swachh Bharat, where our PM took broom for seconds, so did big people who would never know how to catch a broom in a lifetime. Now if the streets are dirty again, there are reasons, one of them there aren’t enough garbage bins to throw garbage, and worse, no public toilets, and then you are forced to dirty up the place, it could be citizens mistake, and at the same time, government’s too for not providing better facilities. We need more than some media campaign, we need some real groundwork being done by the government. You want me to not litter, well then provide me garbage bins, you don’t want me to pee on the roadside, well have public toilets installed etc etc. Well, while Ramakrishna Mission volunteers and rest of the citizens are trying to keep city clean, the government should also cooperate in providing enough dustbins/garbage bins and also enough toilets. The govt officials should also join hands with the volunteers and note how the Swacch Bharath campaign is progressing.

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A job well done – Team Mangalorean extends heartfelt compliments to Ramakrishna Mission, and to all the volunteers who made Swachh Mangaluru Abhiyan a great success- let’s look forward to the 5th phase of Cleanliness Drive in 2019. For More Details to be a volunteer next year in the Abhiyan please contact Swami Ekagamyanandaji at 9448353162. Jai Karnataka! Jai Mangaluru!

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