Source : www.mangalorean.com
Mangaluru: Swachatha Andolan was conducted by St Aloysius Industrial Training Institute on 1st October, 2018. The purpose of the initiative was to create awareness about cleanliness among the students and general public. The drive was inaugurated by Madhu Manohar-Environment Engineer, Mangaluru City Corporation. Inaugurating the initiative he said, “Mangaluru has got the first place all over India in Waste Management and MCC is committed to make Mangaluru the cleanest and healthiest city to live. In our city, every single person produces on average 500- 600 gms 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 segregate the waste at their houses itself it can be achieved.
He further said, “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 a plastic is thrown, it takes 400- 700years to degrade fully. Animals eat plastic and get sick, even the plastic waste has created danger for aquatic animals in seas. Researchers have found nano plastic elements in fishes and in turn it reaches the humans when they eat fishes. Plastic stays in our body and creates severe health issues. This cleanliness initiative should not be a one-day activity, but we should practice it every day of our life.” Er Manohar thanked the Management of St Aloysius Institutions for taking initiatives in creating awareness among people about cleanliness. He also said that MCC would be implementing the system of penalizing anyone who throws any waste in public place within few months. The formal programme began with a prayer song.
In his Presidential address Mr Eric Mathias SJ-the Director of the institution said, “Our institution has taken the initiative of creating awareness among all regarding cleanliness. This concept of making our country clean was introduced by Mahathma Gandhiji and now it has been more popularised. The actual cleaning process should start from 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, Nava Bharath 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
Subhash Shetty- student council President welcomed the dignitaries and the gathering. Ms G. Monica- Vice President of Students’ Council proposed vote of thanks. Gyaral Milton Lobo- Secretary, Student Council compered the programme. Yashwanth- Health inspector, MCC; Dinesh- Supervisor, MCC; Vincent Mendonca- Principal of the SAITI institution and Alwyn Menezes- Vice Principal of the institution and the convener of ‘Swachatha andolan’ were also present on the dais.
