POONCH, FEBRUARY 03: To acquaint and sensitize local masses about Swachhta Action Plan being observed throughout India, Central Bureau of Communication Field Office Poonch (J&K), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India today organized an awareness programme here in the Children’s Park, near Air Field.President, Municipal Council Poonch, Sunil Sharma was the Chief Guest, besides Chief Executive Officer, MC, Varinderpal Singh; Councillor W.No. 7, Naresh Chander; Councillor W.No. 9, Parvinder Singh; Councillor W.No. 13, Sanjay Khajuria and Councillor W.No. 3, Balwinder Singh were also present.The programmes aimed to intensify the awareness campaign on the importance of Swachh Bharat Mission which aims at making India open defecation free, Making India Clean and Green and work towards changing the mindset of the common masses about cleanliness of surroundings.In this regard, general masses were made aware about personal hygiene, community sanitation and use of sanitary latrines.Speaking on the occasion, President MC, Poonch, Sunil Sharma said that each and every citizen should spread the message of cleanliness among own family and the residents in his neighbourhood. He said this mission needs people’s support and cooperation to achieve its targets.Prominent among others who spoke on the occasion were Councilor W. No. 7, Naresh Chander. He said that it was the duty of every citizen of the country to work to make India clean. He urged the gathering to practice the habits of personal hygiene like cutting of nails, washing of hands before eating and after defecation. He further said that unless we ourselves learn the habits of keeping the surrounding clean, others cannot mend their wrong habits of spreading dirt here and there.EO, MC, Poonch, Varinderpal Singh, was of the view that common people have improved a lot on their part.After the beginning of Swachh Bharat Mission many people have become conscious about cleanliness. But a lot needs to be done. He appreciated the efforts of the CBC, Poonch(J&K) for organizing an awareness programme at Poonch. He further added that such programmes from time to time keep masses concerned and linked to cleanliness habits, otherwise with passage of time common people are likely to become lethargic towards their responsibilities and duties for keeping the nation clean.Officials from Central Bureau Of Communication also addressed the gathering and enlightened the participants about working and organization of Central Bureau of Communication. They explained the benefits of compost pit and 3-Rs viz. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. They urged the masses to refrain from open defecation & informed them about the provision of incentives for any household interested in building IHHL. They also informed them that in case of lack of space in houses for IHHL people can get the benefits of Community Toilets through Urban Local Bodies or Rural Development Department.In order to motivate the general masses to avoid throwing garbage in the open, CBC Poonch provided dustbins to 30 families for disposing off the domestic waste at the proper place and about 75 families were given Jute bags to encourage them to avoid use of polythene bags. A ‘Shramdaan activity’ (cleanliness drive) was also organized by CBC Poonch to encourage locals to keep their surroundings clean in which local leaders led the people in cleanliness drives.
