The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr) BD Mishra (Retd), attended the closing ceremony of the 15-day Swachhata Hi Seva 2024 campaign, themed ‘Swabhav Swachhata, Sanskaar Swachhata’, at the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat on October 2.

During the event, the L-G inaugurated WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) facilities for the sanitation workers of the Municipal Committee Leh (MC Leh) at the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Plant in Leh. He also felicitated two Safai Mitras, Ghulam Hadi and Deachen Yangzes, with cheques of Rs 20,000 each in recognition of their services.

In honor of Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri on their birth anniversaries, the L-G paid floral tributes and reflected on their contributions to the nation. He emphasized the importance of remembering our ancestors, acknowledging their efforts in guiding us on the path of righteousness. The L-G praised Mahatma Gandhi's commitment to non-violence and truth, specifically highlighting his role in the Salt Satyagraha, which was instrumental in India’s fight for independence from British rule. He urged that cleanliness, or Swachhata, should become a way of life and stressed the need to instill these values in young children.

The L-G expressed his admiration for the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign, calling it a milestone for India's cleanliness movement. He commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his visionary initiatives to advance the nation’s development. The L-G appealed to the public to work together, involving children in supporting sanitation workers to keep their surroundings clean. He also encouraged the staff at the Secretariat to reduce pollution by reusing plastics and tetra packs.

Remembering Lal Bahadur Shastri, who served as India's Prime Minister from 1964 to 1966, the L-G lauded his leadership and his famous slogan, “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan”, which rallied the nation during the 1965 India-Pakistan war.

During the event, Advisor Dr. Pawan Kotwal provided an overview of the 14-day Swachhata Hi Seva 2024 campaign, which began on September 17, 2024. He acknowledged the Safai Karamcharis of the Leh and Kargil Municipal Committees as vital contributors to keeping the region clean. He also highlighted health check-ups and the provision of protective gear for the sanitation workers as part of their welfare efforts.

Principal Secretary for Housing and Urban Development, Sanjeev Khirwar, IAS, informed the gathering that the campaign kicked off with a Swachhata Pledge at the Leh Main Market on September 17. He outlined the key activities during the 15-day campaign, which included Mega Cleanliness Drives by the Municipal Committees and the Rural Development Department across Ladakh. Other activities included food stalls, sports events, plantation drives, workshops, a Waste to Art exhibition, and the cleaning of water bodies.

Among those present at the event were First Lady Neelam Mishra, Advisor Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Principal Secretary Sanjeev Khirwar, Director of Urban Local Bodies Moses Kunzang, Executive Officer of MC Leh Stanzin Rabgais, officials, sanitation workers, and staff from the Lieutenant Governor’s Secretariat and Raj Niwas.