GRSE celebrates ‘Swachhta Pakhwada’ with 250 school children

New Delhi: As part of the Government of India's 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan,' Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE), observed 'Swachhta Pakhwada' from December 1 to December 15 across its Kolkata & Ranchi based units. During the fortnight-long celebration, cleanliness programs by GRSE were focused on involving around 250 school children from Kolkata to spread awareness about cleanliness.

The cleanliness drive at the Shipyard commenced with the administering of the "Swachhta Pledge' by all employees of GRSE.  A host of events were organised across GRSE Units including the display of posters and banners at various locations to create awareness among stakeholders on the aspect of cleanliness and hygiene, weeding out of old files & office equipment, disposing of scrap material from the factory premises and awareness workshops on single-use plastics and the importance of cleanliness in daily lives of employees, CISF personnel and contractors' workmen.

Towards promoting good habits among school children, GRSE organised an inter-school painting competition on topics such as "Cleanliness – A Way of Life", "Clean Home, Happy Home" and "Swachh Vidyalaya, Sundar Vidyalaya". An essay competition, Swachhta quiz, yoga activity and sapling distribution at local schools were also undertaken.

GRSE's CMD Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd.) graced the valedictory program of Swachhta Pakhwada as Chief Guest in the presence of Director (Finance) RK Dash, Director (Shipbuilding) Cdr Shantanu Bose and officers and employees of GRSE. During the event, prizes were distributed for various competitions and activities held during Swachhta Pakhwada to the local school children. On the occasion, a colourful performance on women empowerment was staged by the children from Rabindra Balika Vidyalaya, Kolkata.

Addressing the gathering, Cmde Hari said, "Swachhta & Swachh Bharat was a dream of Gandhi Ji, and aptly on Gandhi Jayanti 2014 our Prime Minister launched the 'Swachh Bharat Mission'. This time our focus has been towards inculcating the habit of Swachhta amongst school children."

GRSE has adopted a holistic approach to implementing initiatives under the Swachh Vidyalaya Mission under the broader ambit of the Swachh Bharat Mission. Multiple initiatives have been undertaken to improve the overall sanitation and hygiene conditions in the government schools,' with a special thrust on the girls' schools in Kolkata.

A major contribution of GRSE towards Swachh Bharat Abhiyan includes the construction of 300 toilets in 46 local schools, the maintenance of 219 toilets and 148 urinals in 20 government schools, the installation of incinerators in 15 girls' schools, providing WASH (Water Sanitation & Hygiene) training to approx. 5,000 students in 4 schools, distribution of 170 colour-coded waste bins in 31 schools, the contribution of Rs 81 lakh to Swachh Bharat Kosh since 2016-17 and contribution of Rs 36.50 lakh to the clean Ganga fund since 2016-17.

Disclaimer: This story is a press release and is being published without any editing by the PSU Watch desk.

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