Latest news with #SwachhBharat
NDTV
19 hours ago
- General
- NDTV
Anand Mahindra Shares Video Of 88-Year-Old Retired Police Officer Cleaning Chandigarh Streets: "Salute"
Industrialist Anand Mahindra shared an inspiring video of 88-year-old retired IPS officer Inderjit Singh Sidhu, who is spearheading a cleanliness initiative in Chandigarh. The video shows Mr Sidhu pushing a cycle cart through the streets of Chandigarh's Sector 49, quietly collecting trash and keeping his community clean. Mr Sidhu, a 1964-batch IPS officer, starts his day at 6 am, selflessly collecting garbage without seeking praise or recognition, inspiring admiration from internet users. Mr Mahindra added that the ex-cop was motivated by Chandigarh's low ranking in the Swachh Survekshan listing, but instead of complaining, he took action. Sharing the video on X, Mr Mahindra said, 'Apparently, every morning at 6 AM, in the quiet streets of Chandigarh's Sector 49, this 88-year-old retired police officer begins his day in service. Armed with nothing but a cycle cart and an unwavering sense of duty, he moves slowly and purposefully, picking up rubbish from the roadside. He says he wasn't happy with the 'low rank' Chandigarh got in the Swachh Survekshan listing. But instead of complaining, he chooses action. Watch the video here: This clip which was shared with me is about Shri Inder Jit Singh Sidhu of Chandigarh. Apparently, every morning at 6 AM, in the quiet streets of Chandigarh's sector 49, this 88-year-old retired police officer begins his day in service. Armed with nothing but a cycle cart and… — anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) July 22, 2025 "Each piece of trash he clears is more than just litter removed. It's a statement. A quiet, persistent belief in a better world. A belief in living with meaning, regardless of age or recognition. In a world often obsessed with youth and speed, his slow but steady footsteps tell us that Purpose doesn't retire. Service doesn't age. A Salute to this quiet warrior of the streets," Mr Mahindra added. Social media users widely praised Mr Sidhu's dedication, hailing him as a true embodiment of the Swachh Bharat spirit. One user wrote, "Such a powerful example. Real change doesn't need power or position—just heart and consistency. Big respect to him." Another commented, "Setting an example! Urging everyone in Chandigarh to reach Sector 49 every morning to join him for one week and then continue in their surroundings! Can we have 80 Cr free ration people cleaning their surroundings as consideration." A third said, "He deserves to be the face of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan." A fourth added, "This moved me. 88 and still serving - not out of duty, but belief. No spotlight needed, just a cart and quiet resolve. We need more such heroes, less hollow slogans." Yet another wrote, "Purpose doesn't need applause. It needs dust, sweat, and man carries more discipline than an entire city plan."
Hans India
3 days ago
- General
- Hans India
Temple waste turns into organic fertiliser through ‘Swachh Devalayam'!
Visakhapatnam: As floral offerings in temples find their way to landfills like the rest of the garbage from households, offices, hotels and industries, members of Rotary Club Vizag Couples (RCVC) decided to convert them into a valuable garden resource through their initiative. On a daily basis, most devotees offer fresh flowers, fruits and coconuts to deities of the shrine to perform puja. How about collecting and converting them into organic manure instead of allowing them to pile up in the premises corners that eventually enter landfills. It is the same concept that nudged the club members to work on a sustainable project known as 'Swachh Devalayam.' After deriving a desirable outcome from its first edition of the endeavour implemented at Panduranga Swamy temple, the club members took the project forward to Kali Mata temple located at RK Beach in Visakhapatnam. Even as organisations, institutions and departments have been taking up plantation and cleanliness drives as part of the Swachh Bharat mission, the club members explored ways to convert temple waste into organic manure. 'Apart from using them for temple gardening, the fertilisers generated through composting temple waste are given away to people to help them cater to their garden requirements,' shares Sravani Chitturi, secretary of the RCVC. Temple waste can effectively be recycled into nutrient-rich organic fertiliser through composting. The process not just minimises landfill waste to an extent but also provides a valuable resource for healthier gardening. 'It is one of the sustainable methods to adopt improved management of temple waste. Through 'Swachh Devalayam', we want to encourage other shrines too to follow suit,' shares Asha Jasti, RCVC youth services director, with The Hans India. As part of the exercise, dried flowers, leaves, fruit peels and other plant-based waste are segregated and added to a large bin for composting, following a layered approach with microbes for the next 40 days. Later, liquid compost is extracted from the collection and used as plant fertilisers. In addition to recycling temple waste and setting up rainwater harvesting pits, the club members also plant 'sacred trees' such as 'bilvam', 'maaredu' 'tulasi', among others, in the premises of theshrine.
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Rain, rust and red tape: PU hostels mock Chandigarh's clean city tag
1 2 3 4 5 6 Chandigarh: Just days after Chandigarh bagged the title of India's second cleanest city among big cities in the Swachh Survekshan rankings, a walk through Panjab University's hostels offers a jarring contrast - discarded furniture, rusting coolers, broken racks and wooden scraps lie dumped in open corners and backyards, untouched for years. While the city basks in its Swachh Bharat glory, the university hostels seem battling health and hygiene risk bureaucratic inertia, a scene that's less "clean city" and more "dump yard in progress." Despite repeated complaints by students, the junk has remained untouched for months, with many items reportedly lying there for over two years. Research scholar Shispal Sheokand, who flagged the issue recently, said he submitted a formal memorandum to Dean Students Welfare (DSW) Prof Amit Chauhan, urging immediate clearance of the trash before it leads to a health crisis. "This isn't just about aesthetics. These rotting wooden frames and rusted metal coolers invite disease, especially during the rains," Sheokand said. Prof Bharadwaj Bargai, the newly appointed warden of Boys Hostel No. 5, admitted the problem was long pending. "Most of this furniture has been lying here since around two years. We are aware of the issue and are taking steps to dispose it off soon," he said. A walk through Boys Hostel No. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Vastu Compliant 3BHK @ Kalyani LivingTree, KIADB, Bagalur Kalyani Developers Learn More Undo 3 reveals a similar scene, half-broken furniture, twisted almirahs, plastic chairs with missing legs, and outdated electrical fixtures piled against walls. Officials in the university's administration wing privately admit that even without the protest-related disruptions, the process of auctioning junk furniture has historically been slow and bogged down by procedural red tape. "Even small decisions go through multiple departments," said a staffer, requesting anonymity. Students argue that bureaucratic delays shouldn't put their health at risk. "It's ironic that a top-ranked university can't manage basic hygiene in its hostels," said Divyansh, a research scholar from the Anthropology department. With the monsoon picking up, the university's sluggish response to hostel sanitation has once again highlighted the cost of institutional inertia. Responding to the issue, DSW Prof Amit Chauhan explained that there is a procedure in place for disposing of discarded items, but the process takes time. "Hostel authorities first prepare an inventory and submit it to the university administration. Once approved, the materials are auctioned off to external bidders. Unfortunately, this time the process was delayed because the DSW office was shut down in April and part of May due to student protests," he said.
India.com
6 days ago
- General
- India.com
Why Cleanliness Is Not Just a Tagline in Indore — It's a Way of Living, Breathing, and Belonging
Clean doesn't just mean dustbins and sweepers. It means pride. It means respect. And in Indore, it means identity. When the morning sun rises over Rajwada's ancient arches, it touches not just old bricks but spotless streets. There is a rhythm here — of brooms, bins, and a billion tiny acts of responsibility that make Indore more than just the cleanest city in India for eight years in a row. Most tourists come for the poha jalebi breakfasts or the Sarafa night market. But what if we told you this city's real beauty is not in what you see — but in what you don't? Litter. Piles of waste. The careless plastic bag in the breeze. Here, these things simply do not belong. So what makes Indore's cleanliness different from other Indian cities? It's not the slogans. It's the citizens. This city is not a passive recipient of Swachh Bharat awards. It is the quiet worker behind them. Shopkeepers sweep outside their own shutters. Households religiously segregate waste. The municipal vans come like clockwork — and you'll see kids reminding elders if they ever forget to use separate bins. From the narrow lanes of Chhappan Dukaan to the wide boulevards near Vijay Nagar, a single rule holds — Indore cleans up after itself. Not because someone said so. But because it is part of who they are. In a nation where blame often travels faster than a broom, Indore is proof that when citizens stop pointing fingers and start lifting brooms, cities breathe easier. Tired of the same sightseeing spots? These Indore spaces are waiting to be experienced The charm of Indore is not just its monuments — it's the living, breathing spaces kept spotless by the people who use them every single day. Step off the beaten path and you'll see how cleanliness becomes the canvas on which the city paints its life stories. 1. Rajwada — The Heartbeat That Stays Clean Against All Odds Indore's iconic palace stands surrounded by busy markets, buzzing rickshaws, and crowds that never thin. Yet the streets around Rajwada are swept every few hours, the waste neatly gathered, the ancient stones shining under streetlights. Sip cutting chai near the iron gates. Watch how shopkeepers pick stray wrappers without waiting for anyone to tell them. Rajwada is not just an old palace — it's the reminder that heritage shines brightest when it is not buried under neglect. 2. Chhappan Dukaan — Where Food Meets Discipline Fifty-six shops. Hundreds of plates served every hour. And not a single paper cup left behind. Indore's beloved street food lane turns into a culinary carnival every evening. Samosas sizzle, dosas flip, falooda overflows. And when you're done, you'll find a dustbin exactly where you need it. Vendors here take pride not just in taste but in tidiness. The place stays spotless because every stall owner knows — food tastes better when the ground is clean. 3. Pipliyapala Regional Park — Nature's Clean Canvas A sprawling lakefront, manicured gardens, and boats gliding over water that actually sparkles. This park shows how Indore's cleanliness extends beyond markets and streets. Locals come here to breathe, walk, picnic — and leave behind nothing but footprints. Try an evening boat ride. Watch the lights dance on the clean water. See families quietly pick up snack wrappers and drop them in the nearest bin. Here, nature and nurture go hand in hand. 4. Ralamandal Wildlife Sanctuary — Where Clean Trails Tell a Story A few kilometers from the city, Ralamandal feels like Indore's hidden green lung. The trails here are marked, cared for, and free of plastic waste. Trek up to the old hunting lodge. Hear peacocks call from the trees. Notice how even on busy weekends, visitors carry their waste down the hill. Ralamandal's secret is not just its wildlife. It's the unwritten rule — respect the trail, and leave it cleaner than you found it. 5. Sarafa Bazaar — The Night That Stays Spotless Every night, Sarafa turns into India's most delicious street party. Pav bhaji. Bhutte ka kees. Garadu chaat. And yet, when dawn breaks, the narrow lanes look untouched by the chaos. How?Vendors sweep their spots before they go home. The municipal team arrives with high-pressure cleaning trucks. By breakfast time, Sarafa is back to its daytime calm — no sign of last night's culinary adventure. This cycle repeats every single night. A reminder that cleanliness is not a one-time job. It's a promise renewed daily. Why should you care about Indore's clean streets? Isn't it just cosmetic? Look closer. It's not about spotless roads alone. It's about health. Dignity. Livelihoods. A clean city means less disease. It means children grow up knowing civic sense is not optional. It means local businesses thrive because visitors come back to places that don't reek of neglect. Indore's success story shows that when people care for their streets, they learn to care for each other too. It builds trust. It builds community. It builds hope that if Indore can do it, any city can. Practical Tips — How to Respect Indore Like a Local Bin before you begin. Always know where the nearest dustbin is before you unwrap that snack. Segregate your waste. Dry and wet. Locals do it. You can too. Carry your own bottle. Reduce plastic waste. Refill at your hotel or cafes. Walk more. Short rides mean more traffic, more emissions. Clean air needs fewer honks. Compliment the workers. A thank you to the person sweeping the street means more than you know. The hidden economy of a clean city — why it matters more than a badge Every waste collector, street sweeper, recycler — they are part of a huge invisible workforce. When you visit Indore and keep it clean, you respect their work. You make their jobs easier. You set an example for your city when you go back home. Cleanliness creates new jobs — waste processing, composting, recycling plants. It saves money that would otherwise be spent on treating diseases caused by filth. It inspires smaller towns to try harder. Your choices matter. Even if it's just one paper cup in your hand. So what's stopping you? Visit Indore not just for the food or the palaces. Come see how a city and its people choose every day to keep their home shining. Walk the streets. Taste the jalebi. Thank the sweeper. Drop your wrapper in the bin. Because here, every clean corner is a small revolution. And you are part of it. Final Thought Don't just visit Indore. Feel it under your feet. See it in the spotless lanes at dawn. Breathe it in the fresh air that smells like possibility. And the next time someone says Indian cities can't be clean — tell them about Indore. Better yet, show them. Because clean is not an accident here. It's a habit. A hope. A way forward. And it begins with you.
India.com
6 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Panjim Crowned Cleanest City At Swachh Survekshan 2024-25: Goa Lauded For Cleanliness Efforts Under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
In a significant achievement for Goa, Panaji has been awarded the title of Cleanest City in India in the 50,000 to 2 lakh population category at the Swachh Survekshan Awards 2024-25. The award was presented by President Droupadi Murmu in a grand ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, celebrating the nation's top performers in cleanliness and sanitation. The award was accepted on behalf of Panaji by Urban Development Minister Vishwajit Rane, Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) Mayor Rohit Monserrate, and CCP Commissioner Clen Madeira. The recognition is part of India's ongoing efforts under the Swachh Bharat Mission to promote urban cleanliness and sustainable waste management. "A Moment of Immense Pride for Goa" Minister Rane described the award as more than just a trophy, calling it a validation of the city's continued efforts and transformative steps under the Swachh Bharat campaign. He highlighted the significance of initiatives such as door-to-door waste collection, the Garbage-Free City certification, and the scientific treatment of waste that have set a new standard for urban cleanliness in Panaji. Under the leadership of our Hon'ble Prime Minister @narendramodi Ji the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has reached every home, echoing with the message of cleanliness. In this direction, the state of Goa has made significant progress... The award is a recognition of the efforts being… — Vishwajit Rane (@visrane) July 17, 2025 "This recognition is not just an award, it is a validation of the work put in through door-to-door waste collection, the Garbage-Free City certification, and the scientific treatment of waste. Panaji has set a benchmark in urban cleanliness," Rane remarked in a heartfelt message following the ceremony. Acknowledgements And Community Spirit Minister Rane expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for his unwavering leadership and support. He also gave special commendation to CCP Mayor Rohit Monserrate for his dedication in spearheading strict garbage segregation efforts throughout the city. Importantly, Rane recognized the vital role played by the citizens of Panaji, sanitation workers, and all stakeholders whose hard work made the honour possible. "Together, we move forward with renewed determination to build a sustainable and Swachh Goa, aligned with the vision of a Viksit Bharat," he concluded. This milestone not only brings pride to Panaji, but also marks an inspiring chapter in India's mission towards cleaner, greener, and more sustainable cities.
