Namchi Kicks Off National Sanitation Campaign for Swachh Bharat

Gangtok, 25 September 2014 – The Rural Management and Development Department (RM&DD) launched a month-long National Sanitation Campaign for Swachh Bharat at Namchi's Community Hall on Thursday, aiming to ignite a "People’s Sanitation Movement." The campaign, part of the Government of India's commitment to achieving Swachh Bharat status by 2nd October 2014, marks a tribute to the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

The event was attended by Chief Guest Mr. Binod Rai, Advisor to the Water Security & PHE Department, along with NMC Vice Chairman Mr. N.H. Ansari as Guest of Honor. Other dignitaries included Mr. Lama Pem Tshering Bhutia (Chairman, Scheduled Tribe Welfare Board), Mr. Kapil Meena (ADM, South), Mr. Bimal Chandra Rai (SDM, Namchi), Ms. Benu Gurung (ADC, Dev), and representatives from various government departments, NGOs, Panchayats, and local groups.

The program commenced with a rally from Central Park to the Community Hall, led by students and officials from RM&DD. The rally aimed to raise awareness of Swachh Bharat and promote a cleaner, greener Namchi.

In his address, Chief Guest Mr. Binod Rai emphasized the importance of cleanliness and personal responsibility in keeping communities clean. He praised the efforts of Chief Minister Mr. Pawan Chamling in making Sikkim one of the cleanest states in India and encouraged everyone to adopt the principles of Reuse, Recycle, and Reduce in their daily lives.

NMC Vice Chairman Mr. N.H. Ansari highlighted the significant work done by the Namchi Municipal Council in waste management and stressed the importance of public participation in maintaining a clean Namchi.

ADC (Dev) Ms. Benu Gurung outlined the objectives of the Swachh Bharat Mission, explaining the month-long sanitation campaign which will run from 25th September to 24th October. She detailed the activities planned at the gram panchayat, block, and district levels, including awareness drives, clean-up initiatives, waste management, and the promotion of toilet construction and use. She emphasized the need for a behavioral shift in people's mindsets to make Swachh Bharat a true people's movement.

The event also featured presentations on solid waste management, community-led total sanitation, and a video explaining the 3 Rs—Reuse, Recycle, and Reduce—as key strategies for reducing waste.

The Swachh Bharat campaign aims to eliminate open defecation, convert insanitary toilets into flush toilets, eradicate manual scavenging, and raise public awareness about the link between sanitation and public health.

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