ITANAGAR, SEP 17:
Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday joined students, teachers, NCC cadets and officials in a cleanliness drive at Mallo Tarin Government Higher Secondary School, Itanagar, marking the state-level roll-out of Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2026.
The month-long campaign is being observed under the theme ‘Swachhata Mein Sahbhag, Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat’ to promote cleanliness, hygiene and civic responsibility across the State.
Addressing the gathering, Khandu urged students to make cleanliness a part of everyday life and carry the habit beyond school campuses to their homes, villages, workplaces and offices.
Recalling the launch of the Swachh Bharat Mission in 2014, he said the cleanliness initiative had evolved into a people’s movement. He highlighted improvements in sanitation and hygiene and said government initiatives had helped expand toilet coverage across villages and households in Arunachal Pradesh.
The Chief Minister said the month-long campaign would feature around 12 programmes across the State, including district-level art and speech competitions for school students, with district winners progressing to the State level. Seva Aapke Dwar camps will also be organised across all districts to connect villagers with government services and facilities.
Khandu appreciated the Waste to Art Park developed at Mallo Tarin GHSS in partnership with KPMG and the students, describing it as an example of how waste materials can be creatively transformed into useful and attractive installations.
He stressed the importance of discipline and respect for teachers, parents, elders and support staff, saying that habits developed during school years shape the character and conduct of young people. He also encouraged students to use social media and digital platforms constructively for learning and knowledge acquisition.
Highlighting the importance of sports for physical and mental well-being, Khandu referred to Arunachal Pradesh’s sporting achievements and said the State had won more than 1,000 medals at national and international levels over the past decade.
He also noted that Arunachal athletes Nyeman Wangsu and Rupa Bayor have been selected to represent India at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, in Wushu and Taekwondo respectively. The State has also initiated the framework for Mission Olympics through the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs.
The Chief Minister said the government was creating platforms for young people in academics, sports, entertainment and other fields through initiatives such as Arunachal Got Talent, Mr Arunachal, Miss Arunachal, Arunachal Idol, Battle of Minds and Spelling Bees.
Urging students to take the Swachhata pledge seriously, Khandu pointed out that it calls for dedicating 100 hours a year to cleanliness and encouraging 100 others to take the pledge.
“Please take the pledge very seriously. Talk about cleanliness with your friends and family so that it becomes part of our lives,” he said.
Khandu acknowledged the contributions of the Urban Local Bodies Department, Education Department, officials, Mallo Tarin GHSS, KPMG, NCC personnel and students in making the state-level roll-out of the campaign possible.
