Mangaluru (The Hindu): The Ramakrishna Mutt, Mangaluru, on Saturday organised a special cleanliness drive in the Central Market area before launching its 38th and 39th editions of Swachh Mangaluru campaign.

It was flagged off by Swami Dharmavratananda of Ramakrishna Mutt, Mangaluru, and Deepa Pai, managing director of Hangyo Ice Creams Ltd. Rajashekhar Hebbar, prinipal, Government First Grade College, Car Street, was present.

The drive was conducted for three hours from 3 p.m. Volunteers not only cleaned the Central Market area with brooms but also cleared heaps of dirt and stinking garbage that had filled in the nooks and corners of the market. They also distributed awareness handbills to all the shops and customers. About 60 students from the Car Street College actively participated in the drive.

Three groups

The 38th Swachh Mangaluru Abhiyan was carried out in Karangalpady Jail Road area on Sunday from 7.30 am to 10.30 a.m. Mayor Jacintha Vijaya Alfred flagged off the drive in the presence of Swami Jitakamananda, president Ramakrishna Mutt.

Volunteers were divided into three groups and each one cleaned Jail Road, C. G. Kamath Road and Lions Park under the guidance of Satish Rao, Ramkumar Bekal and Satish Bhat.

Branches of trees that were lying along the roads were cleared off the street using earth movers. Worn out direction boards were repainted and awareness handbills were distributed among households.

The 39th edition too was carried on the same day at Chilimbi. Ganesh Karnik, MLC, briefed the volunteers about the details Swacch Abhiyan. Industrialist C.A. Ameen and Ganesh Bangera of Kalki Manava Seva Samiti flagged off the drive.

Volunteers cleaned different areas in and around Chilmbi for almost three hours.

Photo credit: The Hindu