CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine has celebrated Swachhata Pakhwada from 1st to 15th May, 20204. Swachhata Pakhwada is a significant initiative of the government under Swachh Bharat Mission with the objective of bringing a fortnight of intense focus on the issues and practices of Swachhata by engaging GOI Ministries/Departments in their jurisdictions. The Pakhwada activities were organised by CSIR-IIIM, Jammu as per the Calendar of Swachhata Pakhwada for the year 2024, released by the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Government of India. As part of the Swachh Bharat Mission mandate, it is imperative for government offices to provide a clean and healthy working environment for its employees/visitors.

In a press handout issued, it was stated that to commence the Swachhata Pakhwada on 1st May, Director, CSIR-IIIM, Jammu administered the Swachhta pledge to scientific, technical and administrative staff and the research scholars of the institute. Later, the main activities of Swachhata were then followed like plantation of trees, cleanliness drive in whole campus, reviewing, recording and weeding out of old Physical Files done by various sections of the institute and the old and obsolete items were earmarked for disposal.Director, CSIR-IIIM, Dr. Zabeer Ahmed expressed happiness and appreciated all HODs, different stakeholders, especially the students, sanitation section and engineering department for the pro-active participation in the Swachhata related activities of the institute. He also exhorted the staff to follow the best practices not only to keep the campus, labs. and offices clean but also adopt the cleanliness, in all walks of our lives.

Through fortnight, a series of Swachhata activities were organized with enthusiasm under the leadership of Director, CSIR-IIIM, Jammu and with the guidance of “Swachh Bharat Mission Committee” comprising PN Gupta, Vikram Singh (Sr. COA), Ajay Kumar, Ravi Shanker, Rajendra Bhanwaria, Love Sharma, Chandra Pal Singh, Arvind Kumar Yadav, Jai Sharma (AEE Civil) and Pushap Mehta (Lab. Supervisor).In order to create awareness about the swachhata, a painting/ drawing competition on “Swachh Bharat, Swasth Bharat” was conducted and wherein students from various schools participated. An essay competition was also held in the institute and good participation of research scholars and the staff members was observed. For undertaking the various activities during this Swachhta Pakhwada, the scientists, students, supporting staff and Safai Karamcharies of the institute participated and certificates along with “Protsahan Rashi” were given to the selected Safai Karamcharies to recognize their contribution.