Rourkela: In alignment with the nationwide observance of Swachhata Pakhwada 2024 (a fortnight-long cleanliness drive running from 1st to 15th September) NIT Rourkela organized a two-hour community-driven cleaning initiative, “Janbhagidari Shramdaan,” as part of the Swachhata Campaign 4.0.
The event, held in the vicinity of the NIT Rourkela campus, saw active participation from students, faculty, and staff, who gathered early at 7 a.m. today to contribute towards a cleaner and greener surrounding.
With over 700 students participating, the event commenced with the Swachhata Pledge administered by Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao, Director of NIT Rourkela, emphasizing the importance of environmental protection and the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ vision.
Inaugurating the event Prof. Rao acknowledged the consistent efforts of the institute’s Safety and Security Team in preserving the cleanliness and beauty of the campus through clean campus weekly efforts. Prof. Rao remarked, “The world is facing the consequences of environmental mismanagement. Continued disruption of nature has led to unusual incidences, one such we are witnessing is, the unlikely and heavy rainfall this September, driven by
climate change.”
He further added, “The strength of this large gathering shows the spirit of volunteerism and community participation. Let us remain committed to the Swachh Bharat Mission and work collectively toward environmental sustainability.”
Following the inaugural ceremony, a Swachhata rally was held, where participants marched from the campus to the Sector 1 area, collecting trash and cleaning public spaces. The students, filled with enthusiasm and a sense of responsibility, actively engaged in clearing litter and waste, contributing to the goal of environmental hygiene.
The event was joined by Prof. Rohan Dhiman (Registrar, NITR) along with faculty members and staff who volunteered in the cleaning efforts. Prof. Dhiman thanked Shri Ashutosh C. Kulkarni, ADM of Rourkela Municipal Corporation, for extending his valuable support to the initiative by providing a garbage disposal van and a JCB to assist in collecting the waste.
Prof. Anil Singh, Head of the Safety and Security Unit, Prof. Anant Charan Pradhan {Professor In Charge (PIC) of Safety and Security Unit}, Prof. Ramesh Mohapatra (PIC, Extra Academic Activity), Prof. Amit Biswas (PIC, Lawn and Garden), Prof. Ajit Behera (PIC, NCC) at NIT Rourkela, coordinated the event.
This marks the 9th consecutive year of NIT Rourkela’s involvement in Swachhata Pakhwada reaffirming the institute’s commitment to raising awareness about the reduction of single-use plastics and mitigating plastic pollution, in line with the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) principle.
Additionally, this event holds special significance for NIT Rourkela’s Swachhata Sipahis, as it marks the 80th week of their ongoing ‘Clean Campus’ project. Since July 2023, a dedicated team led by Prof. Anil Singh has been devoting two hours every weekend to cleaning the campus, reflecting their dedication to ecological cleanliness.
