Srinagar, Sep 17 (KNS): Director General Rural Sanitation, Jammu and Kashmir, Anoo Malhotra (IAS), on Thursday launched the Union Territory-wide Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2026 campaign at Block Khonmoh here, calling for collective efforts to make cleanliness a sustained habit and an integral part of everyday life.

Addressing students, officials and community members at the launch programme, Malhotra said the objective of Swachhata Hi Seva was to inculcate responsible behaviour and build a sustained people's movement towards cleanliness and environmental protection.

She stressed that the campaign should not have a defined beginning or end but must become part of people's daily habits and behaviour.

The DG also highlighted the importance of four-stream waste segregation at source and urged students and schools to carry the message of responsible waste management to their homes and communities.

She encouraged schools to organise more awareness and creative programmes on cleanliness and urged students to actively participate in the campaign and share their initiatives to inspire wider community participation.

The launch programme featured student-led performances, with participating schools presenting skits on different aspects of Swachhata.

Sheikh Ali Mission School, Khonmoh, presented a skit on the Swachhata Hi Seva theme, while Higher Secondary School, Khonmoh, showcased a performance highlighting the importance of cleanliness.

Samaa Public School, Balhama, and Radiant Model School, Khonmoh, also presented skits centred on cleanliness and environmental responsibility, while Northland Public School performed a skit highlighting the importance of waste segregation and maintaining a clean environment.

Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Director Rural Sanitation, Kashmir, Shabir Ahmad Hakak, said Swachhata Hi Seva represented a collective movement for cleanliness and responsible citizenship.

He said cleanliness holds an important place across faiths and traditions and emphasised that the campaign must evolve into a permanent habit.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Hakak explained the major pillars of SHS 2026, including identification and cleaning of Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs), cleanliness of public places and greater involvement of youth and students.

He called upon students to become active participants and ambassadors of the campaign.

Joint Director, Rural Development Department, Mantasha Binti Rashid, said the success of the campaign ultimately depends on how individuals contribute through simple actions in their daily lives.

She encouraged students to practise home composting of vegetable and kitchen waste, explaining that biodegradable waste can be converted into manure while reducing the amount of waste entering the environment.

She said nature functions through a circular system, while excessive use of plastic has disturbed this balance, and urged students to encourage their families to adopt composting and other sustainable practices.

ACP Srinagar Bashir Ahmad Padder said cleanliness campaigns could be transformed into a lifestyle through meaningful participation by individuals and communities.

He expressed hope that the programme would inspire everyone to contribute towards cleaner and healthier surroundings.

Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Srinagar, Tabasum Qadir, also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the importance of awareness and collective responsibility in achieving the objectives of the campaign.

The programme was moderated by BDO Khonmoh Mohammad Muqsit Wani, while Field Officer, Deputy Directorate of Rural Sanitation, Kashmir, Shajat Farooq, presented the vote of thanks.

The participating schools were felicitated for their performances and contribution towards spreading the message of cleanliness and environmental responsibility among students and the wider community.

The launch reinforced the message that Swachhata Hi Seva is not merely an annual campaign but a continuous people's movement that must become part of everyday life.(KNS)