NGOs remove posters

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, October 2

In response to the Prime Minister’s mass movement for strengthening the ‘Swachh Bharat’ campaign, Young Indians (Yi) has launched a Swachh Bharat mission on sanitizing and sensitising India. The initiative aims to work with institutions and companies in the field of social responsibility with the objective to create awareness on various pertinent social issues, and encourage students and industrial participation through the Yi network across the country. This year, Yi would take three projects under this mission: Mission City Clean, Awareness Campaign on Hygiene and Horn Not Ok Please.

Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Yi Dehradun chapter in partnership with Waste Warriors, a local NGO, organised cleanliness drives at the Clock Tower and in Paltan Bazaar. They started the day by cleaning the area around the Clock Tower, removed posters from walls near the GPO, and in the afternoon, moved to Paltan Bazaar. Besides cleaning, they distributed garbage bags to shopkeepers. The volunteers spoke to the shopkeepers about the importance of keeping dustbins in their shops. At present, shopkeepers throw waste directly on the street. They also hosted an awareness campaign against the use of polythene bags and handed out cloth bags to shoppers. The team spoke to shoppers about the harmful effects of plastic on our environment, thus encouraging them to bring their own bag with them when they go out for shopping.

On the occasion of Swachh Bharat anniversary, Dehradun Municipal Commissioner Nitin Bhadauria, came to show his support.

Akshit Batra, chairman, Yi Dehradun chapter, said, “Over 200 volunteers from Young Indians, Waste Warriors, The Asian School, Roorkee Institute of Engineering, Quantum Engineering College, Roorkee, Eco Task Force and General Post Office, participated in the cleanliness drives. Students of The Asian School, Him Jyoti School and Purkal Youth Development Society School performed skits on the theme of Swachh Bharat.” 

Jodie Underhill, CEO of Waste Warriors, said, “We are delighted with the response from today’s event and it has been a very fitting end to a week of activities. Around 500 people have joined us for an array of clean-up activities. Swachh Bharat should not just be celebrated once a year it should become a part of our everyday life.