Nagaland launches Swachhata Hi Seva 2024 campaign

KOHIMA — Nagaland on Tuesday launched the Swachhata Hi Seva 2024 campaign at the conference hall of Nagaland Civil Secretariat in Kohima.

The programme was a joint collaboration of SBW-U and SBM-G, Nagaland, with Kohima Municipal Council (KMC).

E Mhonbemo Patton, principal secretary of Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), who launched the Swachhata Hi Seva 2024 campaign as chief guest, has sought the cooperation and continued support of all the stakeholders towards Swachhata Hi Seva 2024 activities.

Highlighting that the Swachh Bharat Mission was launched by the Prime Minister on August 15, 2014, he stated that Swachhata Hi Seva is being observed to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the mission.

He has sought concerted effort and support of all the urban local bodies (ULB) and village councils (VC) and all the citizens of the state adding that the campaign should not be confined to a particular department.

Kekhrievor Kevichusa, commissioner and secretary of Urban Development Department (UDD) and Municipal Affairs (MA), briefed about the Swachhata Hi Seva 2024. He said the Swacchala Hi Seva is an annual fortnight-long cleanliness campaign held annually the second half of September to October 2.

He stated that Swachh Bharat Mission aims to eliminate open defecation, create open defecation-free (ODF) villages and improve both solid and liquid waste management. He also pointed out that the Swachh Bharat Mission consisted of two parts namely urban and rural (or grameen).

He informed that the Swacchata Hi Seva aims to raise awareness about cleanliness and hygiene and through community participation. According to him, this year’s theme was “Swabhar Swacchata, Sanskar Swacchala” meaning cleanliness of nature, cleanliness of culture.

Kevichusa maintained that the state steering committee has decided to approach this year’s Swacchita Hi Seva campaign through three innovative approaches by adopting the slogan “Moi lega jabrah, Moi laga kaan” making cleanliness a personal matter, while the second approach was on adopting the Lao-Ong-Mo festival of the Konyak tribe, on September 28, which is a post harvest celebration and observed by cleaning footpaths and streets with community celebration. Besides, the state has also decided to prolong the Swachhata Campaign till November 30 to coincide with the start of Hornbill Festival and participate in the 2 state mass social work programme planned in October and November later this year.

Kevichusa further informed that the state has declared 212 cleanliness target units (CTU) in 189 urban areas and 23 in rural areas.

The SHS anthem was played for the audience followed with administering of Swachhata Pledge by Kekhrievor Kevichusa.

Later, the participants organised a cleanliness drive at the Secretariat office campus.

Swachhata Hi Seva campaign was also launched in Kohima, Chiephobozou town, Noklak, Atoizu and Medziphema.