Manipur State Archaeology, under the Department of Art and Culture, Government of Manipur, today organised the inaugural function of a 10-day Cleanliness Drive and Awareness Programme at Historical Sites of Manipur at Kangla as part of the ongoing Seva Sankalp Abhiyan.
Speaking as the chief guest, Secretary (Art and Culture), Government of Manipur, Naorem Praveen Singh, IAS, said cleanliness is deeply rooted in Manipuri culture, citing the traditional practice of cleaning homes during Cheiraoba and other major occasions.
He stressed the need for continuous awareness programmes to instil and reinforce the habit of cleanliness among youths and citizens.
Maintaining that the upkeep and beautification of Kangla could help attract more tourists and generate local revenue, he said sustained efforts could eventually help transform Kangla into a self-sustaining heritage site for Manipur.
Presiding over the function, Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC) Municipal Commissioner M. Nando Singh said Kangla has been selected as a key destination in Manipur under the Clean Himalayan Hill Cities Initiative (CHHCI).
He emphasised that civic responsibility and community participation are essential for maintaining a clean Imphal city. He said the IMC would soon install dustbins, educational slogans and other sanitation infrastructure within Kangla to establish a clean and pollution-free heritage site.
Superintendent of Manipur State Archaeology Shashikanta Sharma K said sanitation and maintenance workers often remain unnoticed in everyday life despite the significant contribution they make to keeping heritage sites clean and well maintained.
He said programmes such as the cleanliness drive provide an opportunity to recognise and appreciate the contribution of sanitation and maintenance workers.
During the function, the chief guest and president distributed T-shirts to sanitation and maintenance workers engaged at Kangla.
The Clean Himalayan Hill Cities Initiative at Kangla was also launched on the sidelines of the function. The IMC further donated dustbins to the Kangla Board as part of the cleanliness initiative.
