SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 17: Director General Rural Sanitation, J&K, Anoo Malhotra (IAS) today launched the UT-wide Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2026 campaign at Block Khonmoh, Srinagar, calling for collective efforts to transform cleanliness from a time-bound campaign into a sustained habit and an integral part of everyday life.
Addressing students, officials and community members at the launch programme, the DG Rural Sanitation said the objective of Swachhata Hi Seva is to inculcate responsible behaviour and build a sustained people’s movement towards cleanliness and environmental protection.
She stressed that Swachhata Hi Seva should not have a defined beginning or end, but must become part of people’s daily habits and behaviour.
She also highlighted the importance of four-stream waste segregation at source, urging students and schools to take the message of responsible waste management to their homes and communities.
The DG encouraged schools to organise more awareness and creative programmes on cleanliness and urged students to actively participate in the campaign and share their initiatives to inspire wider community participation.
The launch programme featured vibrant student-led performances, with participating schools presenting creative skits on different aspects of Swachhata. Sheikh Ali Mission School, Khonmoh, presented a skit on the Swachhata Hi Seva theme, while Higher Secondary School, Khonmoh, showcased a creative performance highlighting the importance of cleanliness.
Samaa Public School, Balhama, and Radiant Model School, Khonmoh, also presented skits centred on cleanliness and environmental responsibility. Northland Public School performed a skit highlighting the importance of waste segregation and maintaining a clean environment.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Director Rural Sanitation, Kashmir, Shabir Ahmad Hakak, said Swachhata Hi Seva represents a collective movement for cleanliness and responsible citizenship.
He said cleanliness holds an important place across faiths and traditions and emphasised that the campaign must evolve into a permanent habit.
He explained the major pillars of SHS 2026, including identification and cleaning of Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs), cleanliness of public places, and greater involvement of youth and students. He called upon students to become active participants and ambassadors of the campaign.
Joint Director, RDD, Mantasha Binti Rashid, said the success of the campaign ultimately depends on how individuals contribute through simple actions in their daily lives. She encouraged students to practise home composting of vegetable and kitchen waste, explaining that biodegradable waste can be converted into manure while reducing the amount of waste entering the environment.
She observed that nature functions through a circular system, while excessive use of plastic has disturbed this balance. She urged students to encourage their families to adopt composting and other sustainable practices, emphasising that such measures help fulfil collective responsibility towards nature.
ACP Srinagar, Bashir Ahmad Padder, said cleanliness campaigns can be transformed into a lifestyle through meaningful participation by individuals and communities. He expressed hope that the programme would inspire everyone to contribute towards cleaner and healthier surroundings.
Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Srinagar, Tabasum Qadir, also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the importance of awareness and collective responsibility in achieving the objectives of the campaign.
The programme was moderated by BDO Khonmoh, Mohammad Muqsit Wani, while Field Officer, Deputy Directorate of Rural Sanitation, Kashmir, Shajat Farooq, presented the vote of thanks.
The participating schools were felicitated for their performances and contribution towards spreading the message of cleanliness and environmental responsibility among students and the wider community.
The launch reinforced the message that Swachhata Hi Seva is not merely an annual campaign, but a continuous people’s movement that must become a part of everyday life.
