Mangaluru: The March cleanliness drive of the Ramakrishna Mission – Swacch Mangaluru Abhiyan was formally flagged off on Sunday by Dr Manjaiah Shetty, Senior Health Officer of the Mangalore City Corporation (MCC), and Pranjal Ghate, economist with the Government of Ontario, Canada.
Addressing the gathering, Pranjal Ghate underscored the global relevance of local civic initiatives. “Working with the international community, I understand the global importance of cleanliness. I truly appreciate the dedicated efforts of volunteers and the citizens of Mangaluru in sustaining this cleanliness drive led by the Ramakrishna Mission,” he said.
He highlighted the importance of collective civic responsibility and noted that sustained grassroots action plays a key role in achieving broader environmental and public health goals.
Shramadan at Kadri temple parking area
As part of the shramadan activities, a team of senior volunteers, including Balakrishna Bhat and others, undertook a cleanliness drive at the parking area of Kadri Manjunath Temple. The volunteers cleaned the premises and surrounding areas, ensuring proper segregation and collection of waste.
The team also interacted with parking area staff and urged them to encourage visitors to make proper use of the waste bins provided on the premises. Volunteers stressed the need for consistent maintenance and public cooperation to preserve the cleanliness of temple surroundings, which attract large numbers of devotees and tourists.
Faculty and students join hands
At the Kadri Temple main road, faculty members and students from the Nitte Institute of Physiotherapy participated in another cleaning drive. The faculty members who took part included Dr Purushothaman Chippala, Dr Jayesh Chandran, Dr Ruchitha, Dr Hemanth, and Mr Socrate, along with a group of student volunteers.
The team cleaned stretches of the roadside, collected litter, and contributed to improving the overall visual appeal of the area. Organisers said such involvement of educational institutions plays a crucial role in instilling environmental awareness and civic responsibility among youth.
Support from organisations
The programme was organised in association with Swacch Mangaluru Prathishtana and supported by Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) as part of their environmental social responsibility initiatives.
Former MLC Capt Ganesh Karnik and Ranjan Bellarpady, coordinator of Swacch Mangaluru Abhiyan, were present on the occasion and commended the sustained efforts of volunteers in keeping public spaces clean.
Organisers noted that regular monthly drives have helped create greater awareness among citizens and have encouraged local communities to take ownership of their surroundings.
Recovery of religious waste
In a special initiative, a batch of volunteers including Taranath Alva, Kamalaksha Pai, and Dilraj Alva carried out a recovery drive at Kadri Circle, collecting religious scrap such as discarded photo frames and damaged idols.
Recognising the cultural and spiritual significance of such materials, volunteers ensured their respectful collection and handling. According to a release, these items will be disposed of safely and respectfully through a dedicated campaign in the coming days.
The March cleanliness drive once again demonstrated how coordinated efforts between civic authorities, institutions, corporate supporters, and citizens can significantly enhance urban sanitation. Organisers expressed hope that continued participation from all sections of society will help sustain the momentum of the Swacch Mangaluru Abhiyan in the months ahead.