PM Modi’s appeal for ‘Swachchh Bharat Abhiyan’ has influenced East Zone Universities. Around 665 students of 20 universities of the zone have pledged to promote the campaign. The oath was taken during the inaugural ceremony of 30th Inter-University East Zone Youth Festival ‘Tarunotsava’ at Aryabhatt Auditorium on Monday.
Ranchi University (RU) Vice Chancellor (VC) Dr lN Bhagat coordinated the oath in the presence of Urban Development Minister CP Singh, Officer on Special Duty (Judicial) to Governor Nalin Kumar, Association of Indian Universities (AIU) Joint Secretary Sampson David and former VCs. The students promised to devote 100 hours in a year for the campaign promotion which means they have to spare two hours in a week for the social cause. Bhagat asked them to take the first step from their home, University or workplace.
“It is important to spread awareness on ‘Swachchh Bharat Abhiyan’. Unless, we spread the motive behind this mission for a Clean India, others will not come forward,” said Masum Anshu, a student of Patna University. Similarly, Samhati Maiti from Vidyasagar University felt of cleaning the lanes and drains near her home and college so that her neighbours and family members are inspired. Tezpur University’s Monjushna Sudhakaran said the drive will help in creating a hygienic environment.
However, Minister CP Singh urged the students to have a positive attitude towards life which in turn will result in the physical cleanliness of the society. The list of the participating universities include RU, Tezpur University, Patna University, Jadavpur University, Birla Institute of Technology Mesra, Banaras Hindu University, Central University of Bihar, DDU Gorakhpur University, Gauhati University, Kolhan University, lalit Narayan Mithila University, Manipur University, Rabindra Bharati University, Sido Kanhu Murmu University, University of Calcutta, University of Kalyani, Vinoba Bhave University, Visva Bharati University and West Bengal University.
Notably, the East Zone Inter-University Youth Fest is concluding on January 9. Thereafter, the North Zone Fest will be held at University of Jammu from January 15 to 19. David said the West Zone, Central Zone and South Zone fests were conducted last year at Ajmer, Berhampur and Tumkur. The 30th Inter-University National Youth Festival is scheduled at Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore from February 12 to 16. The season of fest for this session will end with 8th South Asian Universities Festival at Mohanlal Sukhadia University, Udaipur from March 7 to 11.
According to the website of AIU, Swachchh Bharat is the subject of ongoing Inter University Zonal and National Youth Festivals (UNIFESTS). Modi has marked the campaign as a mass movement to realise Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of a clean India by his 150th Birth Anniversary in 2019. The universities are directed to send a report on the various programmes organised in this regard to the AIU. It will then be forwarded to Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports sponsoring the UNIFESTS.