World Toilet day was today observed in District Reasi by hosting a series of activities including Swachtha Pledge and Swachtha Run across all the 153 Panchayats of the District.The District Administration Reasi has asked the stakeholders to rope in civil society to create mass awareness about the cleanliness related issues.
District Development Commissioner, Babila Rakwal led from the front along with ACD Reasi, ACP Reasi, SDM Katra, CEO KDA, DPO Reasi ,Tehsildar Katra, BDO Katra and Panthal and Sarpanches and Panches of nearby panchayats undertook cleanliness drive at Katra Domail Highway starting from Dumail link towards Katra Town.
Considering the fact that Shri Mata VaishnooDevi ji Shrine is the major attraction of tourists coming from all parts of the globe, the stakeholder departments sought cooperation from the cross section of society to make the holy town of Katra free from Garbage.
At Deva Mai Chowk Nomai, the gram panchayat and shopkeepers undertook a cleanliness drive. DC Reasi also participated in the drive with the gram Panchayat.The NSS volunteers of SMVDU University were instrumental in conducting the campaign as they collected 100 kg of plastic waste along the national highway.
The volunteers also sensitised the local inhabitants and shopkeepers not to throw the garbage in open areas. The shopkeepers were told to make their surroundings clean.The highlight of the event was the participation of school children in the Swachhata campaign.
They took Swachhta pledge and committed not to litter in future and keep their surroundings clean. The gram panchayats encouraged the school children to be Swachtha champions in their respective localities.
The speakers said that the campaign was one link in the chain of a mega process of behavioural change when it comes to Swachtha. They said that there was a need to adopt a multi pronged approach to make the district Reasi garbage free.
This process demands the cooperation of all stakeholders in civil society. This campaign of today will help develop the right mindset for a clean and green environment that will in turn pave the way for a healthy living.