Bhubaneswar: ‘’Cleanliness is needed for life and society. We have excelled as a region for the best in art and crafts and our land is known as ‘Utkala’, where the ‘kala’ or art forms have excelled to the core. Now, the time has come to excel in cleanliness.’’
Telling this at a mass cleaning drive named ‘’Swachhata Hi Seva’’ at City Bus Terminal near Master Canteen Square, Odisha Governor Professor Ganeshi Lal inspired the citizens of the Temple City to keep the city clean and green so that it would attract more and more travellers from around the world. Interestingly, the Governor initially spoke in Odia and his inspiring lines were received with a big round of applause.
Participating at the ‘’Swachhata fortnight’’ organised by the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) the First Citizen of the State also told the young student volunteers of Bharat Scouts and Guides, National Cadet Corps and National Service Scheme to take the lead in keeping our surrounding clean.
Citing an example of Japan, the Governor said ‘’the average lifespan of Japanese citizens is the longest in the world as they are very particular about cleanliness and we must learn from this Japanese experience. Cleanliness is Godliness and should be the fundamental responsibility of every citizen in our society,’’ he added.
During the celebration the Governor also led the officials, corporators, student volunteers and general public and scanned through the entire width and breadth of the City Bus Terminal with great enthusiasm and pride. He held the broomstick with fondness and tried to cover a large area. While doing so, he also inspired the fellow participants to feel proud while doing the cleaning of their surroundings.
Speaking on the occasion BMC Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena said ‘’the cleanliness responsibilities of the city are with three agencies i.e. Jagruti, PMR and Ramky, but our citizens have a major responsibility like segregating wastes at source so that biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes can be separated and the city could have lesser burden with respect to the municipal solid waste is concerned.’’
Principal Secretary to the Governor Madhusudan Padhi was also present and participated in the cleanliness drive.
Governor Professor Ganeshi Lal felicitated 15 “Swachhata Karmis’’ on the occasion for their contribution towards ensuring clean and green environment.
Municipal Commissioner Dr. Krishan Kumar added that BMC has taken several measures to restrict use of polythene and plastics and after the official ban on October 2 by the State Government, would start enforcement. Currently, awareness being created among citizens for restricted use of plastics and no use of polythene.
Among others, BMC Additional Commissioner Subham Saxena, former BMC Chairman Dr. Jagannath Mohapatra and senior officials from BMC and Governor’s House were present on this occasion.
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