Tamil Nadu's young changemakers lead the way in ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign

Tamil Nadu [India], September 25 : The resounding success of the Swachh Bharat Mission, which has spanned nine years, has transformed Swachhata (cleanliness) into a nationwide celebration akin to a festival.
People from all walks of life have come together to create a garbage-free India, with the launch of ‘Swachhata Pakhwada-Swachhata Hi Seva’ igniting a storm of enthusiasm across the country, read the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs press release.

Both adults and children are actively participating in this sweeping Swachhata (cleanliness) movement, with Tamil Nadu witnessing a surge of youthful energy in the campaign.
The Swachhata Hi Seva campaign in Tamil Nadu has been meticulously planned with daily activities involving students taking center stage.
The sanitation revolution is gaining momentum through the active involvement of school and college students, read the press release.
During the Pakhwada (fortnight), a wide array of activities and small campaigns were organized to raise awareness about Solid Waste Management and the hazards of single-use plastics.
One of the highlights of this campaign has been the cleanliness drives conducted in schools and colleges across all urban local bodies (ULBs) in the state, read the press release.
Over 1 lakh students enthusiastically participated in various Swachhata Hi Seva activities held in educational institutions.
These activities not only aimed to spread awareness but also encouraged students to actively engage in cleanliness initiatives.
In addition to general awareness and cleanliness campaigns, ULBs facilitated exposure visits for students to Solid Waste Management Plants, including Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs), Bio CNG plants, and Biomining sites, read the press release.
Many schools organized waste-to-wealth competitions, inspiring students to create valuable artefacts from waste materials, which were proudly displayed in exhibitions.
Students were also educated about the crucial practice of segregating wet and dry waste at the source.
To further promote sustainable waste management, schools initiated onsite composting for their wet waste, teaching students simple techniques for home composting.
The campaign featured various events such as rallies, marathons, and cyclothons, encouraging active participation from students.
Awareness about the ban on single-use plastics and the exploration of alternatives was another essential aspect of the campaign, read the release.
Some schools even distributed cloth bags and informative pamphlets on source segregation and home composting techniques among their students.
The active participation of young changemakers, particularly school and college students, is anticipated to play a pivotal role in shaping a cleaner India in the near future.
Tamil Nadu's students have set an inspiring example, highlighting the significance of youth engagement in the pursuit of a cleaner and more sustainable nation.