“Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS)” Photography Contest in India

Deadline: 1 October 2023

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and Dept. of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti are organizing the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ fortnight 15th September to 2nd October, 2023, in collaboration with other Ministries, to celebrate 9 years of Swachh Bharat Mission.

Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) campaign is being celebrated this year under the joint aegis of DDWS & MoHUA for undertaking shramdaan activities aiming to generate jan andolan through community participation; to provide impetus on implementation of SBM; to disseminate the importance of a sampoorna swachh village; to reinforce the concept of Sanitation as everyone’s business; and as a prelude for the Swachh Bharat Diwas (2nd October) with nationwide participation.

Theme

Theme of SHS-2023 is ‘Garbage Free India’ with focus on visual cleanliness and welfare of SafaiMitras.
The focus of these swachhata drives would be on high footfall public places like bus stands, railway stations, cantonment boards, beaches, tourist places, zoos, national parks & sanctuaries, historical monuments, heritage sites, river fronts, ghats, drains and nallahs etc. in both rural & urban areas of State/ UT.

Activities

On 15th September, 2023 launch of SHS campaign will be done and will include following activities:-
- Virtual launch by Hon’ble Minister of Jal Shakti and Hon’ble Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs
- Virtual interaction (Samwaad) with few selected
- DM/DCs
- Municipal Commissioners
Activities proposed for States/Districts/Blocks to organise SHS from 15th September 2023 to 2nd October 2023 are as follows:-
- Removal of garbage from all important places;
- Repair, painting, cleaning and branding of all sanitation assets like litter bins, public toilets, dhalaos, waste transport vehicles, MRFs etc. in the area;
- Assist in drives to clean riverbanks and removal of waste (including plastic) from water bodies especially in Ganga Grams and Ganga Towns;
- Cleaning of zoos, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries etc. under MoEFCC along with regulation of plastic materials into protected areas to prevent littering;
- Cleanliness drives of tourist spots, ASI protected monuments along with IEC initiatives to discourage usage of single use plastic items, saturating dry and wet waste bins in line with the Hara Geela Sookha Neela campaign, etc.;
- Cleanliness drives in Cantonment Board areas along with IEC campaigns encouraging alternatives to Single Use Plastic (SUP);
- Cleanliness drives and awareness activities may be taken up in schools with children understanding the importance of waste segregation at source, journey of waste, waste to wealth, alternatives to SUP. Where possible Sanitation Clubs may be formed at schools/colleges;
- Under the campaign of ‘Har Patri Saaf Sutri’ cleaning of all assets under Railways including railway tracks, railway stations, colonies, hospitals etc.; and
- Conducting special programs, cultural events promoting the sanitation journey of the country.