Students pledge to create a ‘Swachh’ environment for healthy living  

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, also known as Clean India Mission, was launched by the Indian government in 2014. The aim to launch this national campaign was to improve the cleanliness and hygiene in the country. The idea was to make India clean and free from open defecation by promoting sanitation and hygiene practices, constructing toilets, and managing waste effectively.

Since then, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has become one of the most significant cleanliness campaigns in the world, with millions of people participating in various cleanliness activities, such as cleaning roads, public places, and schools. The campaign has also generated awareness about the importance of hygiene, sanitation, and waste management, which has helped in reducing diseases and improving public health.

Even students have been playing a vital role in promoting cleanliness, hygiene, and sanitation practices by incorporating the campaign in their daily lives. They have taken this responsibility of creating a clean environment for a sustainable future. They have been prioritising reducing their carbon footprint by wisely managing waste, recycling, and reusing materials.

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Thus, realising the importance of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan for a healthy lifestyle and clean surroundings, students of Apeejay Stya University initiated a “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” on their premises during which they cleaned the backyard of the university canteen and other spaces.  The students were divided into two teams.

“It’s our duty to keep our environment clean because we are the ones who are using it. A request to all the canteen users please try to put your plates in dustbins after having food and try to have it in a well and clean manner, don’t drop it on the floor or tables, this will make it easy to keep the canteen clean.” emphasised Ajay Singh Rawat, student from School of Management Sciences.

Astha, a student from School of Biosciences, highlighted, “The main goal of cleaning isn’t just to clean, but to feel the joy and happiness within of creating such an environment. All of us gathered in the outer canteen of our college campus for this activity. The students were divided into 2 teams, each with one captain.The captains guided us and took care that the cleaning was well coordinated.We picked up the wrappers, wiped the tables and glasses and mopped the floor.” 

She also added, “The whole process made us realise the importance of always keeping our surroundings clean. Besides that, it was a great bonding experience for us. At last, the teams got judged by deciding which area was cleaner, which infused a healthy competition among us.”

Participating in cleanliness drives helps students develop leadership skills and a sense of community service that was evidently visible on the ASU campus.  

“I am really glad as I got the opportunity to lead one of the teams to clean the college canteen. It was fun and a learning activity.The best part was that we got points by Omaveer sir (Janitor’s head),” said Ritika verma of  School of Journalism and Mass Communication. 

Sharing similar sentiments like her peers, Nyasa Arora of School of Biosciences opined, “Cleaning is important for wellness and safety. Maintaining a clean college environment sets a good example for students. It promotes amateurs to take pride in their university or college, which makes them less likely to drop litter and as such they will potentially make a bigger effort to maintain their environment. A clean and healthy environment gives you the inducement to perform better in your said fields. Hence, a clean and neat environment will help students to excel in studies.”