Youth icons urged to participate in cleanliness drives

New Delhi, Aug 1 (IANS) Taking the cleanliness story forward, the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) has decided to rope in the youths of the country, through its next set of thematic drives.

"In the first phase, NSS, NCC and eco-clubs will join hands with youth volunteers and help sensitise citizens and slum dwellers about safe sanitary practices and decentralized solid waste management," an official said here.

He said that the key areas of focus would lie on the youth volunteers to undertake cleanliness drives in various locations of the cities, upload pictures at swachhbharat.mygov.in and encourage the youth at large to take 'swachhata' pledges on the mygov portal.

The second phase will be from August 15 to August 31.

The ministry will be reaching out to all sports icons who are the Swachh Bharat ambassadors, and sports clubs, to take up special cleanliness drives in their cities.

They would participate in "Swachhata runs" along with the citizens and conduct cleanliness drives in sports stadiums.

They would additionally help in the dissemination of sensitization messages for spectators during matches on the importance of cleanliness in stadiums by avoiding the use of plastics.

"Through the innovative concept of "Thematic Drives", the ministry aims to identify different areas and sectors to reinforce the message of the Swachh Bharat Mission. These initiatives would help in increasing awareness and participation from all the sections of the society," the official said.