125 schools take Swachhata pledge virtually

In a move to engage school students, teachers and communities in promoting cleanliness and sustainability, the Municipal Corporation Chandigarh organised a mass Swachhata pledge ceremony today under the ongoing Swachhata Hi Sewa Pakhwara, themed “Swachhotsav”.

The pledge was administered by MC Commissioner Amit Kumar, wherein over 125 schools across the city participated virtually through Google Meet sessions in classrooms and school assemblies.

The pledge emphasised giving time for Swachhata, personal hygiene, proper waste disposal, elimination of single-use plastic and adoption of eco-friendly practices.

Amit Kumar highlighted that the fortnight-long initiative is being conducted across educational institutions throughout the city with the goal of instilling lifelong values of sanitation, hygiene and sustainable living.

A wide range of participatory and awareness-building activities, including Swachhta Shapath, campus cleanliness drives, essay-writing and painting competitions, rallies and cultural events and tree plantation drives, are being held.

He remarked that the ‘Swachhata Hi Sewa’ campaign is more than a government initiative — it is a people’s movement, reinforcing the idea that cleanliness is a shared responsibility. Focusing on schools this year, the campaign acknowledges that children are powerful change-makers who influence their families and communities by adopting and promoting clean habits.

He also appealed to schools to organise ‘Prabhat Pheris’ (morning rallies) in their respective neighbourhoods, carrying placards, banners and cleanliness slogans.