Media Release
Mangaluru, Oct 1: Swachatha Andolan was conducted by St Aloysius Industrial Training Institute on October 1.
The purpose of the initiative was to create awareness about cleanliness among the students and general public. The drive was inaugurated by Madhu Manohar- environment engineer, Mangalore City Corporation.
Inaugurating the initiative he said, “Mangaluru has got the first place all over India in Waste Management and MCC is committed to make the city the cleanest and healthiest to live in. In our city, every single person produces on average 500-600 gm of solid waste per day and around 300 tonne of waste reaches the dumping yard daily. The segregation and disposal of 100% of this waste is a big challenge and only if the public segregate the waste at their houses itself it can be achieved. Every household should segregate the waste as ‘dry waste’ and ‘wet waste’ and then hand it over to the waste collecting persons appointed by MCC. Plastic waste has become a big menace these days. If a plastic is thrown, it takes 400-700 years to degrade fully. Animals eat plastic and get sick, even the plastic waste has created danger for aquatic animals in seas. Researchers have found nano plastic elements in fishes and in turn it reaches the humans when they eat fish. Plastic stays in our body and creates severe health issues. This cleanliness initiative should not be a one-day activity, but we should practice it everyday of our life.”
He thanked the management of St Aloysius Institutions for taking initiatives in creating awareness among people about cleanliness. He also said that MCC would be implementing the system of penalising anyone who throws any waste in public place within few months.
The formal programme began with a prayer song. Subhash Shetty- student council president welcomed the dignitaries and the gathering. In his presidential address Eric Mathias SJ- director of the institution said, “Our institution has taken the initiative of creating awareness among all regarding cleanliness. This concept of making our country clean was introduced by Mahatma Gandhiji and now it has been more popularised. The actual cleaning process should start from self. One should keep his heart and mind clean from anger, jealousy, revenge, communalism, etc. If the heart and mind are clean, the outer cleanliness will automatically follow.”
G Monica- vice president of students’ council proposed the vote of thanks.
Gyaral Milton Lobo- secretary, student Council compered the programme.
Yashwanth- health inspector, MCC; Mr Dinesh- Supervisor, MCC; Vincent Mendonsa- principal of the institution and Alwyn Menezes- vice principal of the institution and the convener of ‘Swachatha andolan’ were also present on the dais.
After the formal programme, students along with staff members went to different places allotted to them within Mangaluru city and cleaned the place. The places cleaned under this drive were: PVS bus stand, in front Of St Aloysius College Gate, KSRTC bus stand surroundings, Navabharath Circle, Jyothi Circle, Bunts Hostel, Mallikatte, City Hospital surroundings, in front of St Aloysius ITI and Court Road.
Placards were displayed at the places to create awareness among the general public. Collected waste was segregated and handed over to the waste collecting personnel of MCC.