Swachh Bharat Mission Moves to a New Level
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Observes
Swachhta Pakhwada

Anand Saurabh

Swachhta Pakhwada is being observed by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in the second fortnight of January, 2017.  During the cleanliness campaign, intensive drives have been launched at various levels in the Ministry Secretariat as well as its media units and other offices. An Award by the Ministry is to be given to encourage and promote cleanliness in the offices. A committee has been constituted to decide the ‘Best Section’ award on the basis of cleanliness, progress in recording and reviewing, implementation of e-office. All officers have been asked to ensure putting up waste paper in the Special purpose baskets. An Internal Committee in the Ministry has been formed to look after the Swachhta initiatives which pays surprise visit to take note of the cleanliness drive in the Ministry.  An intensive cleanliness drive is also being carried out in the Ministry. All Sections have been asked to ensure old and unused items are not lying in the Sections and to ensure that there are no loose fit wires or cables, broken furniture, etc. and get the same repaired at the earliest. Unused and discarded materials are to be disposed off. Departmental Canteen officials have been advised to take note of the cleanliness initiatives and ensure cleanliness in the Canteen. The Ministry has also put up posters on ‘Swachhata’ themes at various places.

A new book gallery with modern outlook and facilities is being readied by the Publication Divisions during Swachhta Pakhwada to display its prestigious publications on a variety of subjects including those on Cleanliness.  It also plans to bring out a series of books in fifteen languages on Cleanliness during the Pakhwada. These include books for children like “Aise Jungle Swachh Hua”. In-situ book exhibitions in Sales Emporia and Sales Units of Yojana offices have been organised during this period with focus on Swachhta related books. The Division is also covering the cleanliness drive observed by various Central Ministries in the weekly job journal “Employment News” and monthly journal ‘Kurukshetra’ on regular basis.

The Directorate of Field Publicity is using interpersonal communication modes including rallies, film shows, group discussions, public meetings and photo exhibitions to communicate Swachhata messages across the country including remote and far flung rural areas through its 22 regional offices.

Indian Panorama Film Festival, held in Siri Fort Auditorium from 13th-23rd  January 2017, showcased films on Swachh Bharat also and gave wide publicity to this campaign.

The Directorate of Advertising And Visual Publicity launched Audio-visual publicity with 60 sec spots about the ill effects of Open Defecation on behalf of Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation. It also released Audio-Visual campaign on Swachhta Sarvekshan & Asli Tarakki on behalf of the Urban Development Ministry.  The News Services Division of All India Radio organised a 9 day workshop on Swachhta starting from 17th January, 2017.

It is also providing adequate coverage to various activities of Swachhta Pakhwada in regular news bulletins and news based programmes, including Regional Languages bulletin. Doordarshan News is telecasting Swachhata initiatives by civil society and Ministries and Departments in a fixed slot of 5 minutes in its Swachhta Bulletin every day.

Song And Drama Division is utilizing live folk and traditional art forms including Drama, Composite, Dance-Drama, Musical Programme, Nukkad-Natak, Puppet Shows, Magic Shows, Mythological Recitals, Folk and Traditional Recitals etc in local dialects for greater outreach on Swachha Bharat Mission.

Indian Institute of Mass Communication is spreading the message regarding Swachhta Abhiyaan including through Community Radio of IIMC. The interviews and discussions with environmental experts on related issues are being broadcast.

Photo Division is providing extensive photo coverages of all the initiatives under Swachhta Pakhwada undertaken by various Ministries based on the information provided by Ministries.

‘Swachh Swasth Sarvatra’ launched to achieve better health outcomes

The Government has launched ‘Swachh Swasth Sarvatra’ to achieve better health outcomes through improved sanitation and increased awareness and healthy lifestyles. Swachh Swasth Sarvatra is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation. Speaking after inaugurating the event, Union HRD Minister Mr. Prakash Javadekar said that the Prime Minister has successfully amplified the need for clean India and it has become the most popular programme that resonates with citizens across India. He said, Swachh Swastha Sarvatra  is a much needed programme to achieve open defecation-free (ODF) India by 2019. Terming children as change agents he stated, “I believe that millions of students can become the change agents in driving ODF message in their homes, villages and districts.” Speaking at the function,  Union health Minister Mr.  J P Nadda recalled the vision of the Prime Minister that governments and departments should not work in silos but work in close collaboration and cooperation with each other and develop a synergy between themselves. Another joint initiative, ‘Swasth Bacche Swasth Bharat’, between Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Human Resource Development was also launched on the occasion.

 ‘Swachhta Pakhwada’ observed in Ministry of Steel and its PSUs

Ministry of Steel observed ‘Swachhta Pakhwada’ from January

1-15, 2017.  During this period, the office premises of the Ministry were cleaned and spruced up.  Two participatory events, poster competition and essay competition on the topic of Swachhta were organized in the Ministry during this period. The Steel Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh reviewed the ‘Swachhta Pakhwada’ activities and praised the Ministry officials and the PSUs management for the Green Environment and Cleanliness activities undertaken during the fortnight and advised them to keep up the momentum ongoing throughout the year. Special Cleanliness drives were also undertaken for removal and reduction of slag, iron ore fines and also for recycling of gaseous waste in power generation. All the CPSEs in the Ministry of Steel undertook Swachhta Activities in their plants, mines, factories and campuses including residential areas. The Steel Ministry is also planning to study and encourage innovative ways to dispose wastes in productive and environment friendly manner, as per ‘Waste to Wealth’ concept by seeking

necessary budgetary allocation for this purpose. During the ‘Swachhta Pakhwada’, various plants of SAIL, RINL and FSNL have undertaken the work relating to disposal of above mentioned wastes. They removed and utilized 323782 tonnes of slag, 402793 tonnes of iron ore fines and recycled gaseous waste to the tune of 127266400 NM3 per hour.