The closing function of the Swachhta Pakhwada (16-31 December, 2024) was held in the conference hall of the Institute on 31.12.2024. Hon’ble MP of Balasore, Odisha Shri Pratap Chandra Sarangi Ji graced the function as the Chief Guest. In his address, the Chief Guest shared his thoughts, life experiences and vision on making India a Swachh and developed nation. He discussed the transformations that have taken place in rural and urban areas in terms of greater awareness creation, behavioral changes in people regarding swachhta, improvement in social and natural environment, health outcomes and reduction of vulnerability to communicable diseases since the beginning of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) in 2014. He also nicely discussed the significance of swachhta as embodied in ‘Lakshmi Purana’ with the example, how Goddess Lakshmi chose swachhta over everything else to stay with Sriya Chandaluni and the initiatives taken by Shri Vinoba Bhave for keeping the village clean. Shri Sarangi also underlined the importance of swachhta in reducing the ill effects of water pollution, air pollution, and soil pollution and urged people to stay aware of the negative health impact of growing noise pollution. He also cautioned the participants about growing concentration of micro-plastics in water and its risk to human and aquatic animals, and stressed the need for greater public participation (Jan Bhagidari) and collective efforts in planning and implementing swachhta related activities and inculcating a sense of responsibility for maintaining swachhta and sustaining Swachha Bharat Abhiyan activities. The Chief Guest gave away the certificates and mementoes to the winners of various competitions held amongst school children, winners for best swachh quarters, best swachh rooms and best swachha laboratory. Earlier, the Chief Guest planted a sandalwood (Santalum album) sapling in the campus in presence of Director and other staff of the Institute and administered swachhta pledge to all the participants. Dr. Arjamadutta Sarangi, Director of the Institute in his welcome address, described various swachhta related activities such as sensitization programmes in villages and schools, importance of swachhta in creation of healthy society, recycling of waste water, scientific waste management including process of converting waste to wealth, plantation drives in villages and ‘clean and green drive’ in campus including generation of solar power etc being implemented by the Institute in both letter and spirit. Dr. S.K. Mishra, Chairman, SBA Committee made a brief presentation on day-wise activities carried out during the swachhta pakhwada in different places. Dr. H.K. Dash, Member, SBA Committee coordinated the event and proposed the vote of thanks. About 100 persons including Institute staff, scholars, school children, teachers and family members attended the programme. Some of the activity photographs of the day are presented below.
