Cabinet minister Alexander L. Hek and Riatsamthiah headman Mariahom Kharkrang today appealed to people of Shillong to set an example by not littering and to join hands in keeping the city clean.
They were speaking at a cleaning drive organised by the Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), Shillong, in collaboration with the Shillong Municipal Board, as part of the Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign today. The event, held in Khyndai Lad (Police Bazaar), one of Shillong’s busiest areas, was aimed to raise awareness about cleanliness, environmental responsibility, and community participation in accordance with the national Swachhata Campaign.
Students of Martin Luther Christian University and St. Edmund’s College besides school students of Jail Road Boys Higher Secondary School, troopers from BSF and CRPF, Meghalaya Fire and Emergency Services, shopkeepers, hawkers residents, cleaners from Shillong Municipal Board also took active participation in the day-long programme.
Hek who was the chief guest at the programme emphasised the importance of cleanliness and praised the collaboration and the active involvement of all participants in the cleaning drive.
Hek also recognised the efforts of Jiwat Vaswani, who single handedly took care of environmental aspects in different parts of Shillong city. “He is the real ambassador for keeping our city clean,” the minister said.
Reflecting on the city’s deep-rooted tradition of cleanliness, Hek said, “Shillong has always been a clean city because cleanliness is part of our tradition. In our ancestral homes, we used to create designated areas for waste disposal and manage it ourselves. This culture of cleanliness was instilled in us by our tradition, and it is our duty to carry that forward.”
He went on to highlight the example set by Mawlynnong, the cleanest village in Asia, where every resident plays a role in maintaining cleanliness.
“If we, as residents of Shillong, adopt this mindset and take ownership of our surroundings, we can make this city the cleanest in the country,” he said.
Hek also acknowledged the efforts of the Editor of The Shillong Times, Patricia Mukhim for taking responsibility for cleaning a prominent river in Shillong.
Closing his address, Hek encouraged everyone to follow the example set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swachh Bharat Mission, stressing that a cleaner Shillong is possible only through the collective will of its citizens.
Kharkrang, who also took part in the cleaning drive, added that every time the topic of cleanliness comes up, the focus tends to shift towards government agencies.
“We forget that we, as citizens, pedestrians, and shopkeepers, also play a role in this process. We are blessed with a beautiful hill station’s topography, but we have also contributed to the pollution of places like Umiam Lake. The government, both state and central, has taken numerous initiatives, and the Swachh Bharat Mission started by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi is one such example. But the success of these initiatives depends on us as ordinary citizens,” Kharkrang stressed.
Kharkrang further explained, “I have witnessed firsthand how tirelessly the Municipal Board workers, CRPF, BSF, Jiva Cares, and other volunteers work to clean the city, yet by midday, the streets are filled with dirt again. The government can do only so much. To see Shillong clean, we need to start with ourselves. It is up to every individual to take responsibility. A small action, like refusing to throw a piece of plastic, can make a big difference.”
“Let’s not just look to government agencies but also be partners in this mission to clean our city,” he concluded.
Shillong Municipal Board Chief Executive Officer P K Boro while speaking on the occasion, emphasised that cleanliness is a shared responsibility of every citizen. He stated, “Waste disposal and management is not just a municipal concern; it is our collective responsibility. The time has come to change our behaviour. All stakeholders, especially those in Police Bazaar, need to take initiative and set an example. If a village like Mawlynnong can be known as the cleanest village in Asia, we too can aim to be recognised as the cleanest state in the country, and the world.”
Police Bazar Welfare Organisation vice president Dr. Kamal K. Jhunjhunwala also extended his congratulations to CBC Shillong for organising the drive and expressed his confidence that such programs would generate awareness among local residents. He acknowledged the challenges in Police Bazar but pointed out that cleanliness was a major issue that could be addressed through joint efforts.
“I, as a resident of Police Bazaar, can vouch for the fact that the municipal team works tirelessly in the early morning hours to clean the locality. However, the challenge resurfaces when hawkers and others return, and littering becomes prevalent. It is time for hawkers, the public, and tourists to take more responsibility. Our Safai Karamcharis are the heroes who work hard to keep our city clean,” he said.
Earlier in the programme, Hek also felicitated seven Safai Mitras. Additionally, awards were presented to the students of Jail Road Boys Higher Secondary School who participated in an Essay Competition focused on the theme of cleanliness.
As part of the initiative, several hawkers operating in the area were also presented with cheques under the PM SVANidhi Scheme, which aims to support street vendors in their economic recovery.
A Health Screening Camp, organised by the District Medical & Health Officer, was set up on-site, offering free health check-ups to a large number of residents. Alongside this, an Aadhaar Camp run by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) attracted a steady flow of visitors seeking to update or obtain their Aadhaar cards.
The Meghalaya State Rural Livelihood Society also set up mobile units at the venue, where attendees had the opportunity to purchase local handicrafts, supporting the livelihoods of artisans in the region.
An impressive flash mob by Meghalaya Warriors Dance Academy was also presented by a local group on the theme of cleanliness where the dancers spread the message of keeping the surroundings clean.
The day-long programme concluded with a musical evening where a local band “Sob Rock” enthralled the crowd with its lively music.
