PUNE: City colleges are actively participating in the 'Swachhata Hi Seva' programme organised by University Grants Commission (UGC) to celebrate the third anniversary of Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan.
According to the notice issued by UGC, the objective of the programme is to 'further the existing measures being undertaken in ensuring hygiene, so that mission mode pursuit leads to a mindset of zero tolerance towards anything unhygienic'.
The period from September 15 to October 2 has been designated as 'Swachhta Hi Seva'. To ensure cleanliness on the campus, the institutes of higher education in the city have been instructed to do the following:
• Cleaning of the entire campus, buildings, corridors, toilets, etc, may be ensured through effective garbage collection and solid waste management system.
• Tree plantation may be undertaken on the campus, and depending on the size of the campus, 70 trees may be planted to signify the 70th year of Independence.
• While it is expected that all higher educational institutions have installed requisite facilities for rainwater harvesting, it is requested that the same may be inspected, audited for adequacy and re-charge facility, so that they are fully functional. In case the facility does not exist, it must be planned and taken up immediately for completion in a given timeframe.
• A pledge may be taken by all students and teachers on a chosen, early date, to observe hygiene and cleanliness in all aspects of daily life and to make others follow suit.
• The staff and students from each higher educational institution may visit a nearby locality or village and hold a hygiene sensitisation programme/rally/ meeting and carry out informed discussions.
Speaking to Sakal Times, Prof Dilip Sheth, Principal, Sir Parshurambhau (SP) College said, “NSS wing of the college, along with other student volunteers, have actively participated in the cleanliness programme. We cleared our ground of weeds and also cleaned the campus. As far as rainwater harvesting is concerned, we already carried out the project this monsoon.”
Prof Rajendra Zunjarrao, Principal, Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce, said that on receiving the circular, he distributed the work among different departments in the college. “Some work was done by the NSS wing, some by hostel students, while some was assigned to other student volunteers across streams and classes. All the students enthusiastically participated in the cleanliness, as well as tree plantation drive and enjoyed the activities,” he added.
The UGC has also instructed the colleges to send a consolidated action report, including photographs, videos, etc, on activities being undertaken, by October 6.