By OUR STAFF REPORTER
DEHRADUN, 16 Jul: Government of India has promoted Swachhta Mission and provided a responsible corporation like ONGC fresh ground to showcase its commitment towards societal progress. Swachhta Pakhwada, a fortnight of demonstrative promotion of this noble cause of making every Indian imbibe the spirit of cleanliness in surroundings, body and in mind, made ONGC take up several collective initiatives all across the country from 1 July onwards. From cleaning of Himalayan mountaineering tracks, foot hills, the river sources like that of Ganga to cleaning the beaches in coastal Andhra and Maharashtra and taking the message of cleanliness, health and hygiene to remote villages and cities across India, ONGC put up a massive effort this fortnight. Associating with Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF), ONGC made a large contribution of finance and manpower to take up cleaning of Himalayas. This widely appreciated initiative led to collection of 170 bags of plastic waste and other garbage. Locations around Kedarnath, Khalia Top and Dharamshala were taken up. The beaches of several coastal areas like Kakinada and Mumbai were taken up for cleaning by ONGCians and families during the fortnight. Cleaning of River Godavari and the banks was taken up by ONGC in Andhra Pradesh. CMD Shashi Shanker presents Rs 3.5 Crore to Jharkhand CM A major solar lighting project has been taken up in Jharkhand. CMD Shashi Shanker presented Rs 3.5 Crore to Chief Minister of the State for installing solar lights on the Ramgarh – Bokaro highway as part of this initiative. Solar lights were also installed at several places near ONGC operational areas like Assam and Maharashtra. One of the key projects rolled out for providing clean and safe drinking water to the poor has been installation of water ATMs in various part of the country. This project aptly named ‘ONGC Piao’ was spearheaded and inaugurated by Director, Human Resources, Dr Alka Mittal. This Swachhta campaign guided by Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan motivated a very large number of ONGC employees, their families and associates to voluntarily contribute towards this mission wholeheartedly with very enthusiastic participation at every work center. Walkathons, Cyclothons, street plays, were organised at various places. Administering Swachhta Pledge to thousands of people during this Pakhwada was one of the major parts of this outreach campaign. Some other key initiatives during this fortnight have been collection of more than one ton of garbage at Elephanta Caves near Mumbai, more than 5 tons of E-waste collected from different parts of Guwahati, more than 650 solar lights were installed at various parts of the country.
