NIT Rourkela community participated in “One Hour of Shramdaan for Swachhata” Campaign
The ongoing Swachhata Hi Seva 2023 campaign (a fortnight cleanliness drive from 15th September to 2nd October) themed ‘Garbage-Free India’, is being observed nationwide. The culmination of this year’s celebrations was conducted today on 1st October 2023, as part of ‘Ek Tareekh Ek Ghanta Ek Saath’ – 1 Hour of citizens-led ‘Shramdaan for Swachhata’ at 10 AM. Joining this nationwide campaign, more than 500 residents of NIT Rourkela comprising students, faculties and staff gathered together this morning at 10 am to contribute to the motto of making a clean environment. The event aimed to promote the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign among the local community residing around the campus.
Inaugurating the event, Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao (Director, NIT Rourkela) called for Swachh Campus initiatives regularly. After administering the Swatchhata Pledge to all, he said, “The entire world is suffering from misuse of the environment. If we continue to disturb nature it will eventually create extremely fatal calamities resulting in the ravage of our planet. Today, I appeal to take out time and think about it. We can start by cleaning our rooms and adopting hygiene-orientated life habits. I acknowledge the strength of this mass gathering which is highlighting the spirit of voluntarism and community participation. Let’s ensure a ‘Swachh Bharat’ as the Swachhata Hi Seva 2023 campaign demonstrates that remarkable feats can be achieved when we unite with a shared vision and work towards a common mission.”
This day is also special for Swachhata Sipahis of NIT Rourkela as it will mark their 44th Week of dedicated ‘Clean Campus’ project. Since July 2023, a group of students, faculty and staff led by Prof. Anil Singh (Head, Office of Safety and Security, NITR) are devoting 2 hours on weekends for cleaning the campus.
On the 105th episode of Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister, appealed for 1 hour of Shramdaan by all citizens collectively called a ‘Swachhanjali’ to Bapu. Therefore, bestowing ‘Swachhanjali’ to Mahatma Gandhi on the eve of his Jayanti, the NITR community cleaned the campus vicinity and pledged to maintain the beauty of the lush green campus.