MANGALURU: Ramakrishna Math has decided to continue its Shramadaan and other related activities as part of Swachh Mangaluru Abhiyan for the next five years, said Swami Ekagamyananda, convener, Swachh Mangaluru Abhiyan.
Speaking on the sidelines of a special meet on 'Swachh Mangaluru–What Next?' at Ramakrishna Math on Sunday, he said, shramadhan activity to be held on every Sunday, will be launched on October 2. A Swachh Mangaluru Foundation will be formed with the support of nearly 150 organisation and through the foundation, various activities such as pot composting, developing Miyawaki forests and other related activities will be undertaken.
Ramakrishna Mission for the past six years has been working to create awareness among the general public about cleanliness and hygiene through Swachhata Abhiyan. The five-year project concluded in October 2019 and pandemic caused a delay in the resumption of its activities.
The event saw the participation of representatives from more than 150 NGOs, groups and Mangaluru city stakeholders. Nearly 35 people shared their opinion, feedback and suggestions in the presence of Swami Jitakamanandaji, president, Ramakrishna Math, Mangaluru, Mangaluru City South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath, BJP spokesperson Capt Ganesh Karnik, N Vinay Hegde, Chancellor, Nitte University and Manjunath Bhandary, president, Bhandari Foundation.
Some of the opinions raised included having waste collection centres at the wards and launching awareness drives on waste segregation at source, through social media, street plays, flash mob, magic shows for the purpose. Representatives wanted children to be part of the drive.
Awareness on promoting reduce, reuse and recycle at the schools and community composting to be taken up. Every house should consider having an eco brick as a solution to dry waste, jagruthi dala in every ward, the penalty for violations, development of Miyawaki forests, an extension of the swacch manas programme for general public, were some of the suggestions.
While many participants expressed concerns on issues at the Pachanady waste dump yard, MLA Kamath, said that it was important to deal with the 3 lakh tonne legacy waste from 1970 at Pachanady. The government will also consider handing over land to the Ramakrishna Mission for maintaining three Miyawaki forests.
Swami Mahamedhanandaji, editor, Vedanta Kesari monthly magazine from Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, said that swachh abhiyan is a spiritual act, it must be strengthened and was in favour of the launch of Swastya Mangaluru campaign, as malnutrition across India has increased after the pandemic.