Pourakarmikas are true ambassadors of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: MP

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Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, MCC Commissioner M.K. Savita and other dignitaries at the Pourakarmikas Day organised by the Mysuru City Corporation on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: M.A. Sriram

Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar on Wednesday said pourakarmikas are the true ambassadors of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and the real architects of cleanliness. If Mysuru has earned the reputation of being a clean city, it is primarily due to the hard work of pourakarmikas.

Inaugurating Pourakarmikas Day organised by the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) at Kalamandira here, Mr. Wadiyar said it was the responsibility of every citizen to express gratitude to pourakarmikas for their contribution to keeping the city clean.

The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and construction of toilets had brought about positive changes in the country’s health sector. According to reports by UNICEF and the World Health Organisation, improvements in sanitation had contributed to a significant decline in infant mortality in India, he said.

Mysuru was expanding rapidly and maintaining cleanliness was becoming a challenge not only in the traditional palace areas, but also along the Ring Road and in the city’s outskirts. There was a need to expand the MCC and develop Greater Mysuru. Government support and additional manpower would be required to maintain the city’s cleanliness standards, he said.

“Cleanliness should not be restricted to awards or competitions. It is essential for the overall economic development of the country and for maintaining a better quality of life,” Mr. Wadiyar said, adding that community participation was crucial to realising the Prime Minister’s vision of a developed India.

Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy said the continuous efforts of pourakarmikas were the primary reason for Mysuru being recognised across the country as a clean city. They began their duties before dawn, often before residents woke up, and performed their responsibilities diligently irrespective of rain or scorching heat.

Mysuru was known not only for its cultural and heritage value, but also as a clean city. The credit for this reputation went to pourakarmikas, health inspectors, sanitation supervisors and environmental engineers, he said.

Mr. Reddy said the efficiency of pourakarmikas during the Jamboo Savari was particularly noteworthy. Despite 8 to 10 lakh people gathering in the city on the day, they cleared the roads within two to three hours and restored them to their original condition.

MCC Commissioner M.K. Savita said around 80 garbage-vulnerable points in the city had been identified during a cleanliness campaign organised as part of the Independence Day celebrations. With the efforts of pourakarmikas, these locations had been successfully transformed into garbage- and waste-free spots.

The health and safety of pourakarmikas had been accorded top priority, she said, adding that quality gloves, shoes, masks and uniforms had been provided. Insurance facilities were also being extended to them.

Earlier, health check-ups for pourakarmikas were conducted at a single location. This year, comprehensive health camps were organised in collaboration with private hospitals in the city, keeping their welfare in mind.

Sports and cultural programmes were also organised for pourakarmikas as part of the celebrations, with women pourakarmikas and others participating enthusiastically.

Ms. Savita said the MCC and pourakarmikas alone could not make Mysuru the number one clean city in the country and stressed the need for active public participation.

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