Early Times Report
JAMMU, Sept 3: As part of the **Swachhata Abhiyan and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities**, the **Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), North Western Himalayan Region (NWHR), Jammu** organized a series of cleanliness and awareness initiatives at **Shaheed Rifleman Sham Singh Langeh (Sena Medal) Memorial Govt. Higher Secondary School, Gharota**, on **03.09.2026**.
The programme was graced by **Smt. Harpreet Kour, Principal of the school, as the Chief Guest**, in the presence of **Dr. M. Siva Kumar, Regional Director, CGWB, NWHR, Jammu**.
In her address, Chief Guest Smt. Harpreet Kour commended CGWB for organizing the outreach initiative at the school level and urged the students to integrate discipline, hygiene, and civic responsibility into their daily routines. Dr. M. Siva Kumar emphasized that **cleanliness is a collective responsibility and must become an integral part of everyday life**. He encouraged students to adopt proper sanitation practices, avoid littering, ensure systematic waste disposal, and motivate their households and neighborhoods to maintain clean surroundings. He further underscored the critical link between cleanliness, **environmental protection, and groundwater conservation**, calling on the youth to serve as ambassadors for the Swachhata mission.
**Key Highlights of the Event:**
* **Thematic Painting Competition:** Students actively participated in a creative painting contest centered on **Swachhata, environmental hygiene, and water conservation**, showcasing innovative ideas through art.
* **Campus Cleanliness Drive:** A hands-on sanitation drive was conducted across the school premises, sensitizing students on proper waste segregation, litter prevention, and sustained cleanliness practices.
* **Promotion of Sustainable Habits:** To encourage personal hygiene and curb single-use plastics, **reusable lunch boxes were distributed to the participating students**, reinforcing eco-friendly practices.
The programme concluded with a commitment by the students and school staff to continue promoting cleanliness, hygiene, environmental awareness, and responsible waste-management practices. The event was coordinated by **Dr. Shweta Kohli**, while **Shri Gulshan Kumar, Geophysicist**, served as the Nodal Officer for the programme. |
