The Housing & Urban Development Department of Odisha has announced a week-long celebration leading up to Local Self-Government Day on August 31.
From August 25 to 30, all 115 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) across the state will host a series of public outreach programmes aimed at fostering community participation, environmental stewardship, and inclusive governance.
The initiative, themed around “Clean, Green, and Vibrant Cities,” will feature a diverse array of activities:
- 🌱 Urban Plantation Drive – “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam”: Citizens will plant locally available saplings in designated areas to honour maternal bonds and promote greenery.
- 🚶 Awareness Rallies: Students, self-help groups, and civil society members will take to the streets to advocate for eco-friendly practices and civic responsibility.
- ♻️ Green Ward Campaign: Wards will compete to adopt sustainable practices, with branding and media coverage to inspire replication.
- 🧹 GARIMA IEC Campaigns: Focused on sanitation workers’ welfare and dignity of labour.
- 🏕️ SAHAJOG Camps: Designed to enhance citizen engagement and streamline service delivery.
- 🇮🇳 “Har Ghar Tiranga – Har Ghar Swachhata”: A patriotic cleanliness drive blending national pride with hygiene awareness.
- 🛣️ Patha Utsav: Early morning street festivals promoting recreation, wellness, and community bonding.
- 🏃 Sports Day Events: Youth and students will participate in games and competitions to celebrate active citizenship.
These activities are expected to galvanise urban communities across Odisha, reinforcing the role of citizens in shaping resilient and inclusive cities. The culmination on August 31 will mark a symbolic tribute to grassroots governance and participatory development.
