Akumnungsang wins SBM-U 2.0 logo competition

KOHIMA — A graphic design student from Providence Institute in Dimapur, Akumnungsang, won the logo competition for Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban 2.0 Nagaland.

He received cash award of INR 25,000 for his logo design that represented the mission in the state.

Besides, three other logos presented by AZ Print Kohima, Tsuktibenla Jamir and Wemhepe Kapfo, graphic design instructor at Providence Institute, received INR 5000 each.

The commissioner and secretary of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Kenilo Apon, gave away the awards at his office chamber in Secretariat, Kohima.

Addressing the ceremony, Apon stated that Nagas have come to town with the mentality of village for which it takes time to keep the city and towns clean.

Saying that the SBM main agenda was to clean the towns and cities, he urged all to start it from one’s door itself. He expressed hope that Kohima will one day become one of the cleanest towns in the county.

Announcing the winners, Elizabeth Ngully, mission director of SBM-U, informed that ever since the launch of the Swachh Bharat Mission on October 2, 2014, the state mission directorate has felt the need to create a symbol representing the mission in the state. She, however, stated that idea could not materialised as they were all trying to familiarise and achieve the mission’s objectives.

With the 10th year milestone this year in October 2024, she informed that they have decided to commemorate the mission’s achievement and commitment to a ‘Garbage-free Nagaland’ by creating a symbol that captures the essence of the mission and the state’s distinct culture and ethnicity.

It received 31 entries in total.

The joint mission director of SBM-U, Kezhochole Rhetso, informed that the second phase of the mission or 2.0 was launched on October 1, 2021, with an objective of a ‘grabage free cities’ all over the country.

The mission was an offshoot of the previous SBM phase 1 launched on October 2, 2014, where the open defecation-free (ODF) was significantly achieved.

To signify that the whole nation is united to clean up India, Mahatma Gandhi’s spectacles with the bridge in tricolor was used as national symbol for SBM. The sign was recognised widely today as ‘Swachh Bharat or Clean India.’

“Similarly, Nagaland is also seriously considering towards clean Nagaland for which such kind of symbol that can resonant with our people has been called for to mark own initiatives and willingness towards Swachh Bharat and also to be recognised through a local symbol. The Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0 called for an open competition in February this year,” she informed.

Akumnungsang, the winner, shared details of the logo. He explained that the cityscape represented progress, while the broom represented commitment to cleanliness and the Hornbill represented rich heritage of Naga cultural and vibrance for a more cleaner and sustainable future.