Babus join hands with NGOs, assns to clean M'lore

Making Mangalore clean and green is main objective of drive

When many citizens gaped, some joined hands in the initiative ‘Shramadana for Clean Mangalore’ organised by District Administration and Mangalore City Corporation at various city junctions.

“It is not enough if one concentrates only in keeping his home clean. With home, one has to also clean the environment, making the place hygienic,” pointed out Deputy Commissioner Subodh Yadav after launching the drive at Nehru Maidan.

He further advised people not to use plastic that is below 40 micron and propagated the use of paper bags and other biodegradable material.

“Mangalore is a clean city but there is no limit to cleanliness. Mangalore can be a role model for the state in cleanliness,” said SP Dr A Subramanyeshwara Rao speaking to Deccan Herald.

Mangalore City Corporation Commissioner Dr K N Vijayprakash stressed on the bifurcation of degradable and non bio-degradable waste at home.

“Segregation, collection and disposal to sanitary landfill will make Mangalore a clean city,” he said and added this drive is not one stop but a beginning of a perennial campaign for the cleanliness of the city.

“Every citizen has to be aware of cleanliness. Disposing of waste in a scientific manner is the need of the hour,” pointed out Zilla Panchayat CEO P Shivshankar.

“Making Mangalore clean and green is the main objective,” said Commissioner of Police Seemanth Kumar Singh.

City points

The drive was held at Balmatta Mission Compound, Attavar Government Primary School to Vaidyanath Temple, Kadri Tollgate to Nanthoor to Kadri Park, Kankanady, Fr Mullers to Nandigudda, Subhashnagara, backside of Srinivas College, Urwa Store Government Employees Quarters and Hathill, Honnakatte to Kana MRPL Road, DC’s Office, SP’s office and Nehru Maidan and Baikampady Industrial Area. Even four important temples of the district, Mangaladevi temple, Kadri Manjunatheshwara Temple, Kukke Subramanya Temple and Kateel Durgaparameshwari Temple were included in the purview of the cleanliness drive.

Organisations involved

The drive was carried out by Rotary Club, Lions Club, KCCI, officials and staff of district administration, MCC, Campus Front of India, Scouts and Guides, NSS, NCC, Home Guards, Industrial area association, Self-Help Groups and others.

The drive took place at different city points under the guidance of the organsations. “There are about 150 people working at each of the junction points,” said MCC Joint Commissioner Vijaykumari Shenoy.

Street Play

The drive was made more interesting and meaningful with a street play put up by the students of A B Shetty Institute of Dental Sciences. The students portrayed short skits on the harm caused by smoking, importance of trees and the cleanliness for better health.

“This is a great initiative. With Mangalore’s respectable people being involved in a drive like this, it will create a good impact on people, influencing them to keep the city clean,” says a student involved in the drive.