Manipur observes National Cleanliness Day commemorating the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi
Source: IT News / DIPR

Imphal, October 02 2019: National Cleanliness Day 2019 was today observed at Gandhi Memorial Hall, Imphal to mark the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatama Gandhi.

Speaking at the function as Governor Dr Najma Heptulla said that every year, the 2nd of October is observed as National Cleanliness Day to commemorate the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

The observance assumes greater significance this year because it is the 150th Birth Anniversary of the Father of the Nation.

Gandhiji was an apostle of peace and he led India's freedom struggle against the British by using 'Ahimsa' as his most powerful weapon.

He was an equally strong advocate of the cleanliness of mind and body or the environment.

Manipur observes National Cleanliness Day commemorating the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi

The Governor reminded the gathering that Mahatma Gandhi stands tall in the gallery of great world leaders and thinkers.

He belongs to the whole world and to all generations.

His profound humanism is his message.

A symbol of indomitable human soul power, Gandhiji firmly stood for the cause of the downtrodden and oppressed not only in India but also in other parts of the world.

He lived and died for peace and welfare of mankind.

His philosophy of non violent agitation and civil disobedience not only led his own country to independence but also influenced political activists throughout the world.

Gandhiji novel mode of mass mobilization and non violent action brought down colonialism, strengthened the roots of popular sovereignty including civil, political and economic rights, and greatly influenced many a freedom struggle and inspired leaders far and wide.

He won affection and love of millions of people all over the world and from both friends and foes alike.

He will be remembered as one of the greatest souls that ever walked on earth, She added.

She stated that, Gandhiji was vehemently against hatred between man and man.

He once observed that he could not live when the atmosphere was marred with violence and hatred.

What he wanted was the bridge that connects and not walls that divide man from man.

Transcending the social barriers of caste, creed, colour, language and religion, Gandhiji preached universal peace, brotherhood and friendship.

Peaceful co existence was his perennial message.

The Governor also said that, for Gandhiji, political independence of India was not the end.

It was the beginning of real freedom - economic freedom of the country.

He was the champion of "Swadeshi" or home economy.

He wanted to work for an India in which the poorest should feel that it was their country.

To him, the spirit and soul of India rested in the village communities.

He also wanted an India in which all communities live in perfect harmony.

Mahatma Gandhi always emphasized cleanliness for a healthy living and healthy people make a healthy nation.

He also believed in the spiritual purification of body, mind and soul.

Speaking about the Swachh Bharat Mission, The Governor said that, Our present Prime Minister has added a new vigour to the cleanliness drive and made it more impactful and meaningful when he launched the Mission on 2nd October, 2014.He declared the day as a non holiday to the Government workers and staffs and urged them to take cleanliness to their offices and work places.

He also urged all the Indians to devote at least 2 hours per week to clean their surroundings.

In the 2-year long celebrations of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, new schemes have been launched and awareness campaigns have been intensified to promote a clean and healthy environment all around.

Such a step is the development of Swachh Campus and Jal Shakti Campus and Jal Shakti Gram under Higher Education as initiated by the Mahatma Gandhi National Council of Rural Education in areas of sanitation, hygiene and water conservation.

Expressing confidence in connection with the launching of two Manuals on Swachh Campus and Jal Shakti Campus and Jal Shakti Gram as a part of this State Level Programme, The Governor said that these will certainly help the Higher Educational Institutions including Universities, Colleges and Polytechnics in keeping the campus clean and in developing strategies, action plans and implementation plans for water conservation within the campus and in the villages.

She also mentioned that, the state of cleanliness which we maintain during the observance of the National Cleanliness Day should be made a regular way of life.

It should not be just a normal observance but a wakeup call for all of us to maintain high standards of cleanliness in our homes, work places, roads, streets and public places.

She also appealed the gathering that while celebrating the National Cleanliness Day, we should all remember the lofty thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi and it would, indeed, be paying true homage to the Father of the Nation if we strive to keep our body, mind and soul clean.

As part of National Cleanliness Day 2019, Manipur Secretariat organized a special cleanliness drive in all the sections.

An evaluation team of senior officers have ranked the Section based in specific 4(four) criteria, the winner for Cleanliness of floor, cupboards, fans and walls of North Block, New Secretariat are 1st Art and Culture Section, 2nd Sports section, 3dr Water Resources Section, the winner for Proper arrangement of furniture items in neat and clean of Western Block New Secretariat are 1st Finance Budget Section, 2nd Finance PIC Section, 3rd Finance Expenditure and PHED Section, the winner for Systematic arrangement in keeping and stored files within available cupboard/shelves(weeding old files) of Annexe Building, New Secretariat are 1st Horticulture Section, 2nd Hill Section 3rd Education-S Section also the winner for No unnecessary hanging/papers on walls of South Block, Old Secretariat are 1st Commerce and Industries Section, 2nd Dept.of Personnel(Wing-1) 3rd GAD(Establishment) .

Deputy Chief Minister Y.Joykumar Singh grace the function as President, Revenue, Karam Shyam, MAHUD Minister Th ShyamKumar and other top officials of the state government attended the observance.