Guwahati: As Mahatma Gandhi quoted, ‘Sanitation is more important than Independence,’ ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ or ‘Clean India Mission’ is a campaign that aims at cleaning up roads, infrastructures, streets, rural areas, smaller towns and cities of the country. This campaign was launched officially by the government of India on 145th birthday anniversary of the great person, Mahatma Gandhi on 2nd of October, 2014.
Villages across Assam have recently earned the fame of becoming ‘Clean and Green’ villages of the country. It is to be noted that these villages are setting examples for the country being the most efficient to follow the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to make the earth a better place to live.
Belona village of Bajali subdivision in Barpeta district Assam has recently earned the fame of becoming the first ‘Clean and Green’ village of Assam.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi retweeted Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal’s tweet on Belona village and the initiative of the villagers to make their village clean, green and plastic-free. The residents of Belona village expressed their joy and happiness when Prime Minister Narendra Modi retweeted the story.
The village has become a prime example of following the ‘Swachhata’ principle by completely banning single use plastic.
Belona is 36 km from Barpeta town and five km from Pathsala town in the district. A few years back, the people residing in this village decided to go plastic free, and efforts were put in to make the village an ideal example of cleanliness and greenery. Their dream became reality when in 2016, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal declared Belona as the first clean and green village in Assam.
“The women have played a pivotal role in this campaign. They gather in the village to make newspaper bags which they distribute to the shops and other business establishments in and around Pathsala town,”a local resident said.
Another village that recently comes into light is Dewalaya Gayan Gaon, one of the four ‘clean and green’ villages selected for Swachhata campaign under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
From conducting timely cleanliness drives to planting more than 200 neem saplings along the road, people of Dewalaya Gayan village have resolved to realise Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream of a Swachh Bharat.
“Our village was roped under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Since then everyone spares the morning for cleanliness. Our main aim is to rid the village of polythene and tobacco. Assam CM Sarbananda Sonowal is leading this campaign. We are the 4th village in Assam realizing his vision” said a local resident.
“Forest Man, Jadav Payeng came to our village last year and we were deeply inspired by his thoughts. Since then we dedicated our time to Swachhata. We thank everyone including PM. Modi for supporting this campaign” said another resident.
It is also seen that the residents of these villages are fully aware of the ill effects of plastic and the need for going green. The people of the villages are well aware that plastic is a threat to the environment and if people want to live a long and healthier life, they should completely ban using plastic products and plant more trees.
