Swachhta Pakhwada is a unique cleanliness campaign started in India to promote cleanliness, sanitation, and Hygiene. It was started as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan ( Clean India Mission), which the Government of India introduced in 2014. The main motto of this campaign is to encourage people to maintain cleanliness in their surroundings and develop good hygiene habits. Swachhta Pakhwada is observed in different government departments, like schools, offices, and other communities across the country.
Meaning and Importance of Swachhta Pakhwada
“Swachhta Pakhwada” combines two Hindi words: Swachhta means cleanliness, and Pakhwada means a fortnight ( two weeks or 15 days).
Swachhta Pakhwada is observed for fifteen days in different sectors like schools, offices and public places to inform the people about cleanliness. It encourages people to keep their homes, offices, and stress clean. Clean surroundings are the key to a healthy life, preventing diseases and creating a positive environment.
Objects of Swachhta Pakhwada
Swachhta Pakhwada has several important objectives:
1 Promote cleanliness
The main aim of this campaign is to encourage people to keep their surroundings clean.
2 Awareness About Hygiene
Acknowledging and rewarding people about the importance of personal and environmental Hygiene.
3 Waste Management
Another objective of this campaign is to manage waste, such as proper disposal and recycling.
4 Water Conservation
Encourage the proper usage of water so water pollution can be prevented.
5 Behavioral Change
Motivate people to change their daily routine and adopt cleanliness as their daily habit.
6 Community Participation
Ensuring the active participation of the community to clean their offices, schools and local communities in cleanliness activities.
Activities During Swachta Pakhwada
During Swachhta Pakhwada, different activities are conducted to spread awareness about cleanliness and personal Hygiene. Some of the key activities are:
1 Cleanliness Drives
People are participating in cleaning their schools, offices, streets, parks, and public places. Volunteers sweep the roads, remove garbage, and plant trees to improve their surroundings.
2 Awareness Campaigns
Different awareness campaigns are run to inform people about the importance of cleanliness, such as Educational programs, rallies, and workshops. Posters, banners, and slogans are used to spread awareness about cleanliness, Hygiene, and sanitation.
3 Essay and Drawing
Competitions Educational institutions organize essays and drawing competitions on cleanliness and Hygiene. These activities encourage creative thought in students to keep their environment clean.
4 Swachhta Promise
People make the Swachhta Promise to maintain cleanliness and follow hygienic practices in their daily lives. This can help them develop a sense of responsibility for a cleaner environment and Hygiene.
5 Proper Waste Disposal and Recycling
Seminars and workshops are conducted to guide people in waste segregation, such as separating dry and wet waste. Recycling old items and reducing plastic usage are also encouraged.
6 Handwashing and Hygiene Awareness
Special sessions are conducted to create hygiene awareness and inform children and adults about the importance of hand washing, personal hygiene, and sanitation practices.
7 Tree Plantation
Tree plantation is also an essential part of Swachhta Pakhwada. Trees help reduce pollution by improving air quality and making the environment greener.
Roles of Schools in Swachta Pakhwada
Schools can play a vital role in spreading awareness about cleanliness. Teachers and students can actively organize and participate in various activities to promote Hygiene. Some key steps taken by schools are:
- Conducting cleanliness drives within school premises.
- Encouraging students to maintain their Hygiene.
- Teaching the importance of saving water and keeping toilets clean
- Organizing debates and discussions on the importance of cleanliness.
Children who learn good habits at a very young age carry them throughout their lives, making society cleaner and healthier.
Impact of Swachhta Pakhwada
Swachhta Pakhwada has had an essential impact on society. Some positive changes are:
- It has Increased awareness about Hygiene and sanitation.
- It has also reduced waste and pollution in public places.
- It Improved public health by preventing diseases like dengue, malaria, and cholera.
- It has ensured more participation from schools, offices, and communities in cleanliness activities.
- It encourages us to develop eco-friendly habits like waste segregation and reducing plastic use.
Challenges in Swachta Pakhwada
Despite the success of Swachhta Pakhwada, still, some challenges are left:
1 Lack of Public Awareness: Some individuals still do not understand the importance of cleanliness.
2 Improper Waste Management: Some rural areas still lack proper waste disposal and recycling systems.
3 Pollution and Plastic Waste: We did not control the pollution due to the excessive use of plastic.
4 Irregular Participation: Some people are not taking responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean.
To overcome and handle these challenges, the government and its citizens must work together to make cleanliness a permanent habit.
How Can We Contribute to Swachhta Pakhwada?
We can contribute to making Swachhta Pakhwada a successful campaign by taking some simple, easy steps like:
- Keeping our home and surroundings clean.
- Avoid littering and dispose of waste properly.
- Reduce, reuse, and recycle waste materials.
- To Protect our environment, we have to plant more and more trees
- Spread awareness among friends and family members about Hygiene and cleanliness.
- Encourage others to follow cleanliness activities.
Conclusion
Swachhta Pakhwada is an excellent step toward creating a cleaner and healthier India. It reminds us that cleanliness is not just the responsibility of the government but of every citizen. If we all make cleanliness a daily habit, we can build a better future for ourselves and the coming generations.
A clean environment leads to good health, happiness, and prosperity. Let us promise to keep our surroundings clean and make India a shining example of cleanliness for the world!