Mysuru city, which lost its 'Clean City' tag after the assessment under the Swachh Bharat Mission in 2017, is now gearing up to regain the title in 2018. The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) authorities and brand ambassadors for Swachhatha Abhiyaan have planned to rope in school and college students for the campaign. The city slipped to fifth place from first in the 2017 survey.

The ambassadors, including members of the erstwhile royal family Pramoda Devi Wadiyar and Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, cricketer Javagal Srinath, seer Athmajananda of Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama and Yoga Guinness record-holder H Kushi, along with Mayor MJRavikumar, MCCCommissioner GJagadeesha and Health Officer HRamachandra held a meeting at Mysuru Palace on Sunday to chalk out plans in this regard .

Srinath said that it is important to concentrate on retaining the status and maintaining it in the years to come. "We have decided to rope in students for the purpose to create awareness. We need to make students to participate actively in each and every campaign," he said.

Kushi, also a student, opined that if the residents keep their surroundings clean, the city will automatically become cleaner. She promised to create awareness about cleanliness in schools.

Pramoda Devi Wadiyar assured to extend full support from the royal family. She suggested that the authorities should take measures to ensure that rain water does not enter houses in some parts of the city. It may be mentioned that many houses in areas such as Udayagiri were flooded during heavy rains recently.

Athmajananda swami said that it is necessary to protect mother earth and every individual should contribute towards cleanliness campaigns. The Ashrama has been organising cleanliness drives at every ward in the city on a weekly basis. The Ashrama has so far, conducted 37 camps at different wards, he informed.

The MCC Commissioner suggested organising competitions on cleanliness in various sectors such as schools, colleges, places of worship.