Source : www.newskarnataka.com
Mangaluru: Swachatha Andolan was conducted by St Aloysius Industrial Training Institute on October 1. The purpose of the initiative was to create awareness about cleanliness among the students and the general public.
The drive was inaugurated by Mangalore City Corporation Environment Engineer, Madhu Manohar. Inaugurating the initiative he said, “Mangaluru has got the first place all over India in Waste Management and the MCC is committed to making Mangaluru the cleanest and healthiest city in which to live. In our city, every single person produces, on average, 500-600gms of solid waste per day and around 300 tonnes of waste reaches the dumping yard daily. The segregation and disposal of 100% of this waste is a big challenge and only if the public segregates the waste at their houses itself it can be achieved. Every household should segregate the waste as ‘dry waste’ and ‘wet waste’ and then hand it over to the waste collecting persons appointed by MCC. Plastic waste has become a big menace these days. If plastic is thrown, it takes 400-700 years to degrade fully. Plastic waste has created danger for aquatic and land animals. Researchers have found nano plastic elements in fish and in turn it reaches the humans when they eat these fish. Plastic stays in our body and creates health issues. This cleanliness initiative should not be a one-day activity, but we should practice it every day of our lives.”
He thanked the Management of St Aloysius Institutions for taking initiative in creating awareness among people about cleanliness. He also said that MCC would be implementing the system of penalising anyone who throws any waste in public place within few months. The formal programme began with a prayer song.
In his Presidential address Director of the institution, Eric Mathias SJ said, “Our institution has taken the initiative of creating awareness among all regarding cleanliness. This concept of making our country clean was introduced by Mahatma Gandhiji and now it has been popularised. The actual cleaning process should start from the self. One should keep his heart and mind clean from anger, jealousy, revenge, communalism, etc. If the heart and mind are clean, the outer cleanliness will automatically follow.”
After the formal programme, students along with staff members went to different places allotted to them within Mangalore city and cleaned the place. The places cleaned under this drive were: PVS bus stand, In front Of St Aloysius College Gate, KSRTC bus stand surroundings, Navabharath circle, Jyothi circle, Bunts hostel, Mallikatte, City hospital surroundings, In front of the St Aloysius ITI and court road. Placards were displayed at the places to create awareness among general public. Collected waste was segregated and handed over to waste collecting personnel of MCC.
Student council President Subhash Shetty welcomed the dignitaries and the gathering. Students’ Council Vice President, G. Monica proposed a vote of thanks. Student Council Secretary, Gyaral Milton Lobo compeered the programme.
MCC Health Inspector Yashwanth, MCC Supervisor Dinesh, Principal of the institution Vincent Mendonsa and Vice Principal of the institution Alwyn Menezes and the convener of ‘Swachatha Andolan’ were present on the dais.
