“Swachhata Pakhwada-2018” organized during 16-31 December, 2018

The Institute Swachh Bharat Committee organized ‘Swachhata Pakhwada’ from 16th-31st December, 2018 and ‘Kisan Diwas’ on 23rd December, 2018 at ICAR-National Rice Research Institute, Cuttack. On 16.12.2018, the Director administered ‘Swachhata Pledge’ to the staff, research scholars and project personnel. He highlighted about the Gandhian thoughts towards Swachhata and advised all to adopt certain practices individually, like to keeping one’s own place clean, not to dirt others’ places through spitting, littering, putting garbage/waste only in the dust-bins, to follow the laboratory etiquettes, etc. apart from collective efforts to keep the campus neat and clean. He sought the cooperation and support from all through ‘Shramadan’ for few hours every week to bring swachhta to the campus. Dr.S. Lenka, Chairman, Institute Swachh Bharat Committee briefed the date wise Action Plan for Swachhata Pakhwada to be undertaken at ICAR-NRRI, Cuttack as per necessary instruction received from ICAR, New Delhi.
During the fortnight-long period, important activities undertaken by the Institute Swachh Bharat Committee were a cleaning drive alongwith planting of valuable trees inside the premises of CRRI High School on 20.12.2018 with involvement of students and teachers. Further, competitions on drawing, essay writing and debate on the topics related to Swachhata were conducted amongst the students of various schools on 21.12.2018. A ‘Kisan Diwas’ was organized in the village Bodhpur, Cuttack Sadar on 23.12.2018, in which Dr. P.C. Rath, Head, Crop Protection Division highlighted on the safe use/handling of pesticides and their rightful application. All the participants including the dignitaries participated in a cleaning drive alongwith Swachhata Rally, which created interests among other villagers to take forward the swachhta message. On 27.12.2018, a cleaning drive was undertaken inside the premises of NRRI, Cuttack namely, Nehru Colony, Recreation Club, Compost Pit, etc. On 29.12.2018, a Swachhata awareness rally was organized in Kanheipur village, adjacent to ICAR-NRRI, Cuttack involving institute staff and villagers. The Director gave Swachhata pledge to the villagers and requested them to contribute through “Shramadan’ to make the houses, premises of the village, roads, etc. neat and clean.

On 01.01.2018, the closing function of the Swachhata Pakhwada was held in which the Director, other staff of the Institute, retired persons, teachers and students of different schools and media personnel attended. Dr. S. Lenka, Chairman, Institute Swachh Bharat Committee presented detailed day to day activities undertaken during the fortnight period. Certificates and trophies were distributed to the successful students by the Director participating in different competitions organized.