Swachhta Pakhwada Acitivities at ICAR – Indian Institute of Horticultural Research
(During 21.12.2022 to 25.12.2022)
As a part of Swachchta Pakhwada implementation (16th to 31st December 2022), various awareness and motivation programmes, mass campaigns, demonstration on composting and cleanliness drive were taken up by ICAR – IIHR, Bengaluru and CHES, Chettalli. To create awareness and emphasize Swachhata campaign among school children, a painting competition was conducted on 21.12.2022 to motivate the school children from Government High school, Hessarghatta, Bengaluru on the theme, ‘Clean India :Green India’ and best performers were selected as prize winners and will be awarded during the valedictory programme.
A demonstration on ‘Vermicomposting’ was conducted at ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru on 22.12.2022. Dr. B.L. Manjunath, Principal Scientist, Divsion of Fruit Crops explained the importance of earthworms and benefits of vermicomposting as a potential component for converting ‘Waste to Wealth’. Around 26 trainees of Entrepreneurship Development Programme from different states of South India participated in the demonstration.
As a special activity of Swachhta Pakhwada programme, ‘Kisan Diwas’ was celebrated at ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru on 23.12.2022. Around 120 farmers from five districts of Karnataka viz., Bengaluru Rural, Mandya, Mysore, Kodagu and Chikkaballapura and around 80 college students from Bangalore participated in this programme. Three progressive farmers namely Shri. S. Anand, Shri. Jayarame Gowda and Shri. Chaluva Raja were felicitated during the programme and awarded with ‘Best Farmer Award’ for their exemplary initiatives on swachchta and in adopting IIHR varieties and technologies. Presidential address was delivered by Shri. Harish Kumar, H.C. President, Local Raita Sangha, Hurulichiknahalli Gram Panchayat who emphasized the motto of Swachch Bharat mission and appreciated the role of IIHR in improving horticultural crop production. Dr. Sanjay Kumar Singh, Director, ICAR –IIHR explained the origin of ‘Kisan Diwas’ with Shri. Choudhary Charan Singh’s contribution to the agriculture sector and welfare of farmers. He urged the staff of IIHR to work together in creating IIHR as a Green Campus and stressed the importance of waste segregation and safe disposal of plastic waste, toxic laboratory wastes and e-wastes.
To motivate school children on cleanliness drive, a drawing competition with a theme of “Clean India: Green India” was conducted at Government PU college, Hesaraghatta, Bengaluru, Karnataka on 24.12.2022 and best performers were selected for prize/appreciation during valedictory programme. Dr. V. Sankar and Dr. T.M. Reddy coordinated for conducting this programme. More than 12 students actively participated in this event.
On 25.12.2022, cleaning up activities were taken up in the premises of IIHR nursery along the roadsides, surroundings of buildings, glasshouses, poly houses and shade net houses. Technical, supporting and contractual staff participated in the programme. Around 2000 kg of solid waste was collected and shifted for composting.
Swachhta Campaign Conducted at CHES, Chettalli, Kodagu District, Karnataka:
An awareness programme was conducted by CHES, Chettalli for school children from Ponnanathmotte on importance of cleanliness to maintain good health and problems associated with plastic wastes. More than 80 students were present during the programme.
Cleaning activity was taken up in canteen premises, Entomology and Pathology Laboratories at CHES, Chettalli. The old unwanted files, boxes and empty bottles were properly discarded following the guidelines. Awareness was created to staff members about the problems of plastic usage on environment and human health.
To create awareness and encourage the school children in swachhta activities, a drawing competition was conducted among the students of Higher Primary School, Ponnanathmotte. More than 50 children actively participated in the competition. The prizes will be awarded to the winners during valedictory function.
