Team Mangalorean Joins in the 300th ‘Ramakrishna Mission Swacch M’luru’
Mangaluru: Team Mangalorean was there for coverage of the First “Ramakrishna Mission Swacch Mangaluru” project held on 1 February 2015, and Team Mangalorean was also here today when the 300th project of this mission completed on Sunday, 2 April 2017. Mangalorean.com is the FIRST one to publish the report of every event that takes place at Ramakrishna Mission, including the Swacch Mangaluru campaign, and we feel proud to say that we are the FIRST media team to volunteer in this Swacch 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.
Wearing the T-shirt which read “Arise Awake- Stop Not Till The Goal Is Reached” and with the logo of Ramakrishna Mission -Swachh Mangaluru with an aim “Inspiration Forever” on the backside of the T-shirt, Team Mangalorean and our friends felt proud to be associated with this cleanliness drive initiated by Ramakrishna Mission. After the 300th Clean Drive was flagged off by BHV Prasad-General Manager (CSR-MRPL) in the presence of Swami Jitakamananda-Adhyaksha of Ramakrishna Mission, and MLC Capt Ganesh Karnik, holding a broom, bucket and other cleaning tools, we got into action, cleaning the area near MCC building- and in less than an hour the entire area was “Swacch!”.
With no doubt we can say that Ramakrishna Mission’ is on a ‘Mission’ to Make ‘Namma Mangaluru, Swaccha Mangaluru’- With nearly 4000 volunteers, 400 drives, over 40 teams and 40 weeks, Ramakrishna Mission is looking forward to accomplish 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 “Swacch Bharath” launched by PM Modi. And completing 300th project under this campaign, is something that needs to be complimented. I think it is a very good initiative taken by Ramakrishna Mission with a strong motto to see that Mangaluru is kept clean under PM Modi’s “Swacch Bharath Abhiyan”.
Remember when PM Modi had said, “Is cleaning only the responsibility of the karamcharis? Do citizens of India have no role in this? We have to change this mindset. We reached Mars. No PM or Minister went. It was the people who did it, our scientists who did it. So can’t we create a Clean India?. If this is evaluated by a photo-opportunity, then we would be doing a disservice to the nation. We all must come together and do this (clean India) wherever we are. This is not about Modi… Modi is only one of its 1.2 billion people… This is a people’s task. India can do it. People of India can do it.”. 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.
Yes, the members and volunteers of Ramakrishna Mission took PM Modi’s words very seriously and did launch this Clean Drive Project of 40 weeks, in order to have Clean India/Clean Mangaluru.
Following the Cleanliness Drive, a formal programme to mark this 300th Drive was held at the Ramakrishna Mission auditorium on Sunday, 2 April at 9 am. Prior to the formal programme , the concluding programme of Kudroli Ganesh’s Magic Show bringing awareness on Swacch Bharath-Swacch Mangaluru was held at the Math premises, which was graced by MLC Capt. Ganesh Karnik. The formal programme began with a invocation by a group of Swamis, followed by welcome address by Capt. Ganesh Karnik. The programme was inaugurated by lighting the traditional lamp by chief guest- Dr N Vinay Hegde Chancellor, Nitte University; along with guests of honor namely BHV Prasad-GM (CSR)-MRPL; Swami Jitakamananda; Capt. Ganesh Karnik; Prof. K Raghothama Rao- Director, Manas Centre for Training, Bengaluru; and Dr Vivek Modi-Corporate Trainer, Hyderabad.
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 group of volunteers participating in the drives in different parts of the City. Today, as we have reached a major milestone of 300 drives, we wish to thank all the volunteers and well-wishers and patrons for their unstinted support. The 300th Drive was symbolically flagged off this morning, and then we had the last show of the 30 magic shows of Kudroli Ganesh, which reached out to the common mass with the message of awareness on cleanliness. We 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”.
Other dignitaries on the dais also spoke, which was followed by sessions on “Swachh Manas for Swachh Bharath” by Prof. K Raghothama Rao and Dr Vivek Modi. These resource persons will be interacting with students of other colleges under “Swacch Manas” awareness programme in connection with Swacch Mangaluru for Swacch Bharath initiative of Ramakrishna Mission- at SDM College of Business Management-Mangaluru on 3 April (Topic-Tackling the monkey Mind); on 4 April at Justice KS Hegde Institute of Management -Nitte (Topic- True Success); also on 4 April at Alva’s Institute of Engineering and Technology -Moodabidri (Topic- Growing Right way); and on 5 April at Sahyadri Engineering College-Adyar, Mangaluru (topic-Character and career).
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. The Initiative of the Drive includes: Cleaning roads and public places; Awareness programme through distribution of literature ; Urgent and 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.
In conclusion, Yes, with PM Modi and his government launching a mission called, Swacch 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 in 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 from 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.
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.
Pics by Astel Pereira, Team Mangalorean
Great coverage by mangalorean.com portal