Srinagar: Speakers at a function organized by the Directorate of Field Publicity (DFP) here today stressed a strong coordination between media, students, teachers, civil society and the administration to ensure hundred per cent success of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to make India a neat and clean country.
Directorate of Field Publicity, Government of India today organised a one-day seminar titled “Role of Media and Community mobilisation for success of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” which was attended by media persons, civil society members, people from administration and a very good number of students and teachers.
Director General, Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Government of India, Akshay Rout was the chief guest on the occasion. Senior officials from state administration including District Development Commissioner Srinagar Syed Abid Rasheed Shah and Municipal Commissioner Srinagar Riyaz Ahmed Wani were present on the occasion.
Expressing hope that the young generation will take the mission of cleanliness forward with zeal and enthusiasm, Sanjay Rout said that Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) is the largest behavioural change programme of the world and the results of the last three years have been encouraging. The media, especially at the regional level, has the most important role to play to make this movement successful, he said.
While welcoming the audience, Deputy Director DFP (J&K Region) Neha Jalali said that the main objective of the event is to highlight the importance of Swachhta and underline the role of media, administration and the youth. Such an event goes a long way in bringing the concept of Swachhta at the centre stage.
The media can play a vital role in pointing out the weaknesses in the system to ensure efficient implementation of welfare programmes, she added.
Appreciating the role of media in highlighting social and civic problems, Syed Abid Rashid Shah said that mobilisation of the community should be given highest preference when it comes to implementing mass programmes such as SBA.
Riyaz Ahmad Wani talked about the role that youth can play and urged them to become possessive about cleanliness as the initiative cannot succeed unless every individual treats it as a personal mission.
Senior journalists Altaf Hussain, Bashir Manzar, Salim Pandit, Manoj Koul, Faisul Yaseen and Mubashir also spoke on the occasion and highlighted various aspects of cleanliness and the role that media can play in bringing about a change in society.
The seminar was also addressed by Coordinator Media Studies, Central University of Kashmir, Dr Asif Khan, social activist Dr Raja Muzaffar Bhat and Abdul Rashid from Rural Sanitation Department.
Seventeen-year-old Bilal Ahmad Dar, who was appointed Brand Ambassador of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation in appreciation of his efforts for cleaning the Wular lake in Manasbal was the star attraction of the programme who also shared his experiences with those present.
The young boy, who is dedicated to clean the Wular lake stressed the need to keep the water bodies clean.
“We have to keep our water bodies clean so save them and also to hundreds of people whose livelihood depends on these water bodies,” said the young star attracting applaud from the audience.
Joint Director, Directorate of Information and Public Relations Zahoor Ahmad presented the vote of thanks.
