Tiruvannamalai Collector flags off Swachhata Service Awareness Rally

Tiruvannamalai District Collector D Bhaskara Pandian inaugurated the Swachhata Service Awareness Rally and Rath on September 17, as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission initiative led by the Rural Development and Panchayat Department. The rally took place at the District Collector's office, marking the start of a district-wide cleanliness drive.
Under the "Cleanliness is Service" campaign, a yearly initiative of the Union Government’s Clean Bharat Movement (Uragam) scheme, this year’s efforts will focus on the theme "Cleanliness is my habit." The campaign runs from September 17 to October 2, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti. Various departments, including women’s programs, education, health, and integrated child development, alongside Nehru Yuvakendra and voluntary organisations, are collaborating with the rural development and panchayat departments to promote cleanliness in Tiruvannamalai.
Key activities planned during the campaign include large-scale cleaning efforts in rural public spaces, extensive tree planting, and the removal of accumulated waste from long-neglected areas. The cleaned spaces will be beautified with flower plants. Medical and welfare camps will be conducted for sanitation workers, and cleanliness awareness competitions will be held in schools and colleges, with prizes awarded to winners. The program will culminate in a Gram Sabha on October 2, where cleanliness guards who have demonstrated exceptional dedication will be honoured.
The campaign aims not only to improve the cleanliness of rural areas but also to safeguard public health, particularly by preventing diseases like dengue, which tend to spread during the monsoon season.
Following the flagging off of the rally, participants marched from the District Collector's office to the Panchayat Council office in Vengikkal. Over 500 participants, including government employees, sanitation workers, and members of the public, carried banners promoting cleanliness awareness.
Among those present at the rally were Project Director (District Rural Development Agency) Dr. Mani, Union Committee President Kalaivani Kalaimani, Commissioner D Parameswaran, Village Panchayat Black Development Officer M Prithivirajan, Vengikkal Panchayat President Shanthi Tamil Selvan, Panchayat Secretary Narayanan, along with other government officials. 
The District Collector urged the public to actively participate and contribute to the success of the campaign for a cleaner and healthier Tiruvannamalai.