New Delhi: The Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban has received a boost as more than 4000 cities across India enthusiastically participated in the second edition of the Indian Swachhata League (ISL). ISL is a youth-led initiative designed to engage young people in activities related to cleanliness and sanitation. City teams are leading the way by actively cleaning beaches, tourist spots, and hills, showcasing their commitment to cleanliness, read the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs press release. This initiative, held under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U), seeks to promote civic engagement among India’s youth.
The inaugural edition of ISL in 2022 was a tremendous success, with over half a million volunteers joining forces to make their cities garbage-free.
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The current edition of ISL is part of the Swachhata Pakhwada – Swachhata Hi Seva 2023, organized between September 15 and October 2, which coincides with Swachh Bharat Diwas, observed on Mahatma Gandhi’s Jayanti, read the press release.
Cities participating in ISL 2.0 have chosen catchy team names and appointed team captains and ambassadors, including badminton player PV Sindhu, environmentalist Ripudaman Bevli, cyclist Swastika Gosh, and Ramveer Tanwar.
Teams like Chandigarh Challengers, Hunsur Heroes, Viktamasingapuram, Dandeli Swachhta Warriors, Kushtagi Champions, and Arsikere Army were among the first to register, read the press release.
These city teams have been actively involved in cleanliness drives, including installing beautiful murals, forming human chains, and creating various formations related to the ISL 2.0 theme and the Jan Andolan for Swachhata (People’s Movement for Cleanliness). In Bhopal, Yoga Day was celebrated at a location that was once a dumpsite, showcasing the transformative power of cleanliness efforts.
Karnataka’s Devenagere witnessed the participation of nearly 4,000 children who came together to create a map of India, while the defending champions, Team Chandigarh Challengers, organised an SUP (Single-Use Plastic) free Maha Langar to feed 10,000 people, read the press release.
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In Alleppey, a water procession called ‘Save the Lake’ was organised to highlight the importance of cleaning lakes.
Several Chief Ministers from various states have joined the cleanliness fervour and encouraged citizens to participate in the Jan Andolan for Swachhata, read the press release.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath felicitated five SafaiMitras (cleanliness ambassadors) under Swachhata Hi Seva and distributed ISL 2.0 T-shirts and caps.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh inaugurated the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign in Manipur, urging every citizen to contribute to Swachh Bharat, read the release.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launched the Indian Swachhata League by hoisting the green flag at the ‘Swachhata League Marathon,’ featuring distances of 10, 5, and 2 kilometres.
The Indian Swachhata League is a testament to the nation’s commitment to cleanliness, environmental sustainability, and youth engagement, aligning with the goals of the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban and India’s broader vision of a cleaner, greener future.
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(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
NDTV – Dettol have been working towards a clean and healthy India since 2014 via the Banega Swachh India initiative, which is helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. The campaign aims to highlight the inter-dependency of humans and the environment, and of humans on one another with the focus on One Health, One Planet, One Future – Leaving No One Behind. It stresses on the need to take care of, and consider, everyone’s health in India – especially vulnerable communities – theLGBTQ population,indigenous people, India’s different tribes, ethnic and linguistic minorities, people with disabilities, migrants, geographically remote populations, gender and sexual minorities. In wake of the currentCOVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water,SanitationandHygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign will continue to raise awareness on the same along with focussing on the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children, fightmalnutrition, mental wellbeing, self care, science and health,adolescent health & gender awareness. Along with the health of people, the campaign has realised the need to also take care of the health of the eco-system. Our environment is fragile due to human activity, which is not only over-exploiting available resources, but also generating immense pollution as a result of using and extracting those resources. The imbalance has also led to immense biodiversity loss that has caused one of the biggest threats to human survival – climate change. It has now been described as a “code red for humanity.” The campaign will continue to cover issues likeair pollution,waste management,plastic ban,manual scavengingand sanitation workers andmenstrual hygiene. Banega Swasth India will also be taking forward the dream of Swasth Bharat, the campaign feels that only a Swachh or clean India wheretoiletsare used andopen defecation free (ODF)status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched byPrime Minister Narendra Modiin 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and the country can become a Swasth or healthy India.
