Governor Prof Ganeshi Lal on Friday called upon city denizens to make all efforts to register excellence in cleanliness so as to match the dignity achieved by the State in the fields of arts and crafts.
“Cleanliness is needed for life and society. We have excelled as a region for the best in art and crafts and our land is known as ‘Utkala’, where the ‘kala’ or art forms have excelled to the core. Now, the time has come to excel in cleanliness,” the Governor said while attending a mass cleaning drive named ‘’Swachhata Hi Seva’’ undertaken by the BMC at Master Canteen bust-stop.
He advised denizens to keep the city clean and green so that it would attract more and more travellers from around the world.
Interestingly, the Governor initially spoke in Odia and his inspiring lines were received with a big round of applause.
He told the young student volunteers of Bharat Scouts and Guides, National Cadet Corps and National Service Scheme to take the lead in keeping surroundings clean.
Citing an example of Japan, the Governor said ‘’the average lifespan of Japanese citizens is the longest in the world as they are very particular about cleanliness and we must learn from this Japanese experience. Cleanliness is Godliness and should be the fundamental responsibility of every citizen in our society,’’ he added.
Among others, BMC Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena, Principal Secretary Madhusudan Padhi and BMC Commissioner Dr Krishan Kumar were present.
The Governor felicitated 15 “Swachhata Karmis” on the occasion for their contribution towards ensuring clean and green environment.