SWACCHTA PACHKWADA ACTIVITIES

Describing the Swachh Bharat Mission — which was launched three years ago amid wide criticism — as a social movement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underlined that just as Swaraj was achieved by satyagrahis, cleanliness would become a reality through "swachhagrahis" (those who work for cleanliness).  Speaking on the third anniversary of the mission launched in 2014 on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary, Modi said when he had announced the mission, it was viewed with cynicism and many even charged him with holding the programme on a public holiday.  "Even if 1,000 Mahatma Gandhi’s or one lakh Narendra Modi’s or all chief ministers and all governments join hands, the dream of cleanliness cannot be achieved. But this can be achieved if 125 – crore people of this country join hands," Modi said, calling for "jan bhagidari" (public participation) to make Swachh Bharat a success. "If Swaraj was achieved by the satyagrahis, shrestha (great) Bharat would be achieved by the swachhagrahis (those who work for cleanliness)," Modi said. He said the ranking of cities on "swachhata" (cleanl iness) has brought about a positive and competitive atmosphere. "Swachhata needs a revolution of ideas as well; and competition gives a platform to the concept of swachhata" the PM said.

         As a part of Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, Government launched Swachhta Pachkwada to make India an Open Defecation Free by 2019.  Swachhata Pakhwada started in April 2016 with the objective of bringing a fortnight of intense focus on the issues and practices of Swachhata by engaging GOI Ministries/Departments in their jurisdictions. An annual calendar is pre-circulated among the Ministries to help them plan for the Pakhwada activities.  The Ministries observing Swachhata Pakhwada are monitored closely using online monitoring system of Swachhata Samiksha where action plans, images, videos related to Swachhata activities are uploaded and shared. After observing Swachhata Pakhwada, Ministries/ Departments announce their achievements through a press conference and other communication tools.  For the Pakhwada fortnight, observing ministries are considered as Swachhata Ministries and are expected to bring qualitative Swachhata improvements in their jurisdictions. The focus during Swachhta Pakhwada was not only to garner people’s involvement but also to bring about behavioural and attitudinal change through innovative activities so that the ultimate goals of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan could be achieved and sustained. During the Swacchta fortnight, all hospital/clinics were also directed to install waste bins for segregating waste and massive cleaning drives were undertaken in all the hospital wards and hospital premises.

The following events were conducted as a part of ‘SWACCHTA PACKHWADA’:

S No.	Event Name	Event Date	Organised Institute
1	Poster & Speech Competition	12.12.2017	KEC
2	Campus Cleaning Activity	13.12.2017	KEC
3	School Cleaning Activity	14.12.2017	KEC
4	Valediction, Swacchta Pledge & Prize Distribution	14.12.2017	KEC