Samagra Shiksha Nagaland conducts Swachhta Pakhwada competition

Winners of Swachhta Pakhwada competition with dignitaries. (Morung Photo)

Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 17

Several students from different educational institution today joined Swachhta Pakhwada competition 2019 organized by Samagra Shiksha Nagaland here at Samagra Hall, Director of School Education.

The competition was marked by letter writing and painting competition on cleanliness as well as essay competition on the topic “Plastic waste free India”

Gracing the state level prize distribution ceremony, Kevileno Angami, State Mission Director, Samagra Shiksha Nagaland called upon the students to start making the environment free from all harmful products and unwanted things.

Asking the students to know the importance of cleanliness, she also told them to make cleanliness as a habit, adding that it depends on the students to make cleanliness a reality.

She urged the students to educate the people on the importance of tree plantation, stop littering public places and stop the use of plastics.

She also called upon the students to influence the community  for a healthier and cleaner Nagaland.

School education director Wongthungo Tsopoe in his keynote address said that one of the basic requirements to humanity is good and clean environment, and save mother earth on being polluted by human greed.

He said that in commemorating 150 years of Mahatma Gandhi birth anniversary, a month long activities has been choked out by Government of India, directing all the states and union territories to observe the 'Swachhta Hi Seva' (Cleanliness is service) with a theme ' Plastic waste Shramdaan' with an aim at making India plastic free by 2022.

“We need to be cautious on single use plastic and its impact on human health,” the director said adding that the usage of non- degradable plastic has increased the environmental pollution, posing great threats to human health.
“In order to lead a healthy life, cleanliness is a must and is everybody's concern,” he said.

The director said that in line with the Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD) guidelines, schools and educational institutions have to conduct Swachhta Pakawada weekend from September 1 to 15.

It directs all educational institutions to organize functions/activities and speak on Swachhta (cleanliness during the morning assembly.

Under this, every child has to take up one activity for personal/school/community and home cleanliness, like extensive cleaning of toilets, Mid Day Meal kitchen, campus and surrounding areas, creating awareness among school children about recycled and non-recyclable waste, maintenance of dustbin (blue/green), planting trees in and around the schools, awareness on the need for proper handwash and also schools has to display photograghs, paintings, cartoons, slogans on Swachhta.

The director thanked Samagra Shiksha Nagaland and the Mission Director for organizing letter writing competition to schools children based on the theme of Bapu- children's contribution to Swachhata’ and essay competition on the theme “Plastic wastes free India.”

Tsopoe challenged each and every individual to make cleanliness to “personal level on our daily lives, so that we make our earth a better place to live.”

Asano Sekhose, chairman Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) gave away prize to the winners.

The prize distribution ceremony was chaired by Kelhikha Kenye, assistant mission director Samagra Shiksha Nagaland while Timothy Thong, deputy mission director, Samagra Shiksha Nagaland delivered welcome address.
The function concluded with vote of thanks by Theyievilie Suohumvu, deputy mission director, Samagra Shiksha, Nagaland.

 The Letter writing (Letter to Papu) competition was won by Menoseno, St. John Bosco School, Khonoma (Junior) and Shemhalu, GHS New Minister Hill (Senior); Thejavino Sophie, St. John Bosco School, Khonoma won the easy writing ((Plastic waste Free India) while 
Neichumhalei Peki, Loyala Hr. Sec School Jakhama won the painting competition.