New Delhi (NVI): Defense Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off the ‘Swachhta Pakhwada’ campaign by the Defence Ministry from Delhi Cantt here today. As part of its campaign the Defence Ministry is organising a massive plogging programme around 400 locations across the country.
According to Defence Ministry officials the aim of this massive programme is to raise awareness within the community, collect plastic waste and make the surroundings clean and plastic free.
Over 3,000 people participated in the campaign. Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, Indian Coast Guard (ICG), Defence Public Sector Undertakings, Ordnance Factory Board, Cantonment boards, national Cadet Corps (NCC), Boarder Road Organisation (BRO) and other affiliated organisations conducted special plogging (picking up of litter while of jogging) events.
According to reports from Siachen to Jaisalmer and Bhuj to Bairengte, Mizoram, the Indian Army picked up waste at 17 locations across the country .
While the Indian Navy cleaned up waste at 30 locations from Mumbai to Karwar (Karnataka) and Kolkata to Vishakapatnam.
On their part the Indian Air Force also picked up plastic waste at 150 locations from Hindon to Upper Shillong (Meghalaya) and Nagpur to Trivandrum.
Apart from the three services, the Indian Coast Guard conducted clean up drives at 47 locations, Cantonment Boards at 62 locations, NCC at 18 locations, Sainik Schools at 31 locations, BRO at 18 locations, Comptroller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) at 20 locations across the country.
Alongside, community awareness programmes such as nukkad nataks, debates, quizzes, painting competitions were also organised.
Swachh Bharat Mission is one of the flagship programmes of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi Government.
-sb
