Sanitation drive enters 25th week in Mangaluru

The Ramakrishna Mission entered its 25th week of the Swacch Mangaluru Abhiyan on Sunday.

Swami Nityasthananda, seer of the Ramakrishna Mutt, Belur, who inaugurated the Abhiyan, highlighted the negligence of hygiene by Indians over centuries. He also stressed on the need to instil awareness among the younger generations about the significance of cleanliness.

Mangalore University vice-chancellor Prof K Byrappa laid emphasis on everybody’s role in ensuring we have a clean India. B K Srivastav, executive director, Corporation Bank, was present on the occasion.

About 350 students from Nitte Medical College, Government BEd College, PA Engineering College, members of Nivedita Balaga, Ishwarananda Sevashrama, Sharada Mahila Vrinda, ex-servicemen, devotees, volunteers of the Ashram took part in the drive.

The road leading to Mangaluru Central Railway Station near Town Hall at Hampankatta is damaged due to poor laying of interlock tiles and it has been posing a problem to pedestrians as well as motorists. A lot of unused space was also lying vacant due to unscientific laying of tiles.

Volunteers of the Swacch Mangaluru Abhiyan re-laid the interlock tiles – using the new tiles and skilled workmanship – giving a new look to the spot and benefiting the public.

The volunteers cleaned the premises of the Taluk Panchayat office at Hampankatta as well as the footpath leading from Hampankatta Clock Tower towards Nehru Maidan. The compound wall opposite the Nehru Maidan was cleaned. The posters were removed and walls were painted, giving a new look to the compound wall.

The officials of Corporation Bank, under the leadership of Srivastav, cleaned the area in front of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in Pandeshwara and removed loads of garbage. A direction board was erected at A B Shetty Circle for the convenience of the public.

Volunteers also distributed the Swacch Mangaluru awareness pamphlets among the residents and public of the Hampankatta and Pandeshwara area.