Maharashtra government, NGOs to launch cleanliness drives on Children's Day

New education minister Vinod Tawde on Saturday held a video-conference with deputy directors and other education department officials and asked them to hold a cleanliness drive called 'Swachha Bharat Mohim' from 14 to 19 November. In a separate development, a few voluntary organisations will also encourage cleanliness in schools with competitions launching on children's day, November 14.

On children's day, the Early Childhood Association (ECA) India, along with NGO Save the Children, will launch a competition called 'Swachh Bachpan Swachh Zindagi' for the municipal-run schools in the city, with a trophy as the prize for the cleanest school.

The competition will begin with puppet shows and quizzes at select municipal-run schools to inform children about cleanliness as a personal and social responsibility. 'Kaku Kachre Ka Dabba' is the main protagonist of the muppet show, who is a depressed dustbin as he sees more trash lying around him than inside him. He will teach students about using dustbins, not spitting, washing hands and keeping toilets clean.

ECA president Swati Popat Vats said, "The schools will be given two months to clean up, and after two months there will be a surprise visit. The competition's parameters will be clean classrooms, clean corridors, clean toilets, dustbins in use and personal cleanliness."

She added, "Three schools will get prizes that include a certificate for each child, books for the school library, and outdoor play toys. The contest will end on 26th January."