A cleanliness drive under the banner of Swachh Bharat Mission was flagged off by His Holiness Dalai Lama on 24 August at Jevetsal, Shey.  The drive started from Jevetsal Shey and concluded at Choglamsar market. 

The cleanliness drive was lead by CEC,  Dr. Sonam Dawa along with EC – Tourism,  Tsering Sandup, Councilor ,Phyang, Punchok Dorjey, people of Choglamsar, Tashi Gatsal,  Kharnakling, students of EJM College and staff members of Rural Development Department, Leh .

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Dawa read the message of H.H the Dalai Lama which reads “I am happy to learn that the Swachh Bharat Mission launched by Prime Minister of India in October 2014 is being implemented in Ladakh as an initiative of the district administration and the LAHDC, Leh. The broad campaign aims to accelerate efforts to achieve universal sanitation coverage in all rural areas of India and to put a much-needed focus on sanitation. I offer my prayers and this initiative will be a great success and that your efforts encourage others in allowing access to sanitation for all people in Ladakh.” 

Expressing the happiness over the launch of the cleanliness drive by His Holiness, Dr. Dawa added, “We are very lucky to start the cleanliness drive with the blessings and directions of Dalai Lama and hoped that entire people of Ladakh will join in making the Swachh Bharat Mission successful in every respect.” 

He further said that the utmost importance is to have the civic sense and responsibility among each and everyone to keep the environment clean.  He urged people of Ladakh to put their contribution and treating every single day as a Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to make “Clean India” mission successful. 

District Panchayat Officer, Leh highlighted the Swachh Bharat Mission Scheme and said that the program is being implemented in the entire country with the vision to achieve the dream of Nirmal Bharat by 2019. 

Dr. Jigmet Yangchan, Scientist SKAUST in her address appealed people of Ladakh to give utmost value to water which is getting reduced and polluted in the age of global warming. 

ACC, Leh Tsering Paldan in his vote of thanks appreciated and expressed his gratitude to all the participants in making the drive successful.