Early Times Report JAMMU, May 15: The fortnight-long Swachhata Pakhwada-2026 concluded at CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine on Friday after witnessing enthusiastic participation from scientists, staff members, students and children in a series of cleanliness and awareness activities organised from May 1 to May 15. The campaign was aimed at promoting cleanliness, hygiene, environmental protection and community awareness within the institute campus and beyond. Various activities, including essay writing, drawing and painting competitions, awareness programmes and cleanliness drives, were organised during the fortnight to encourage public participation and spread the message of a clean and healthy environment. Addressing the concluding function, Dr Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM, Jammu, said that cleanliness and environmental protection should become part of daily life and social responsibility. He emphasised that educational institutions and workplaces must collectively work towards maintaining hygienic and eco-friendly surroundings. He said the Swachhata Pakhwada provided an opportunity for participants, particularly students and children, to understand the importance of keeping their homes, schools and public places clean. Dr Ahmed appreciated the efforts of the organising teams and participants for making the programme successful. He also lauded the active involvement of different departments and said such initiatives play an important role in creating awareness about environmental sustainability and public hygiene. Dr Premnarayan Gupta, Senior Principal Scientist, Pharmacology Division, said that awareness campaigns like Swachhata Pakhwada help inculcate a sense of responsibility among people towards maintaining cleanliness in society. He said children participated enthusiastically in various competitions and displayed creativity and awareness through their paintings, drawings and essays focused on cleanliness and environmental protection. During the concluding ceremony, winners of various competitions organised under Swachhata Pakhwada-2026 were felicitated with certificates and cash prizes. In the essay competition, Roopam Singh secured the first prize and received a certificate along with prize money, while Sammar Latif won the second prize and received a certificate with prize money of Rs 1500. Ashok Bhargava secured the third prize and received a certificate along with prize money of Rs 1000. In the drawing and painting competition for children aged 5 to 8 years, Adhwan Shan secured the first prize and received Rs 2000 along with a certificate. Seerat Kour won the second prize with Rs 1500, while Ragnya secured the third prize with Rs 1000. In the 9 to 12 years category, Amithi secured the first prize with Rs 2000, followed by Pawani in second place with Rs 1500. Tanishaa Baboria secured the third prize and received Rs 1000. In the 13 to 16 years category, Mohini won the first prize with Rs 2000, while Aanya secured the second prize with Rs 1500. Pihu received the third prize along with Rs 1000. The programme concluded with participants reaffirming their commitment towards cleanliness, hygiene and environmental conservation, while the institute pledged to continue organising awareness-driven activities in the future. |