WRWWO following Gandhian philosophy to promote the social concept of community cleanliness

Western Railway Women’s Welfare Organisation (WRWWO) is following the Gandhian philosophy to promote the social concept of community cleanliness and to create awareness among others. During the Swachhta Pakhwada organised on the 151st birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, WRWWO President Tanuja Kansal & her team members extensively participated in Shramdaan activities. Various other events were also organized by WRWWO, to create awareness about the importance of cleanliness.

During her recent visit to Gandhidham & Bhuj, Tanuja Kansal participated in the Shramdaan activities and appreciated the cleanliness standards being maintained at these stations. She also applauded the environment friendly initiative of recycled plastic benches at Gandhidham station. She also presented awards to the winners of online drawing competition held during the Swachhta Pakhwada and also encouraged the other participants. 

According to a press release issued by WR CPRO Sumit Thakur, to encourage thorough cleaning and upkeep of railway colonies in Mumbai, Tanuja  Kansal came up with a novel idea “ Swachh Colony Mera Abhimaan” and motivated WRWWO members and railway man  too came forward to join hands for this initiative. It was decided by WRWWO to sponsor the award to be given to railway colonies, which had more than 100 flats and had maintained the highest hygiene and cleanliness standards. 

The parameters for the awards were, Removal of unwanted vegetation and debris from colony, Monitoring of disposal of waste generated in colonies and cleaning of garbage bins, Cleanliness of roads and pathways of colonies, Cleaning of colony backyards, Cleaning of staircases of buildings, roof tops and vegetation from buildings, Cleaning of water tanks, Spraying of anti-larva insecticides and its effectiveness, Presence of separate bins for dry and wet garbage. 

Fifteen railway colonies participated in the *“Swachh Colony Mera Abhimaan”* campaign. The above parameters were divided into 2 categories; 8 out of which was applicable to all colonies, whereas 3 were tiebreakers. On the occasion of prize distribution of this competition, Tanuja Kansal said that she is happy that cleanliness and hygiene are close to the hearts of the railway fraternity, and as all residents have activity participated in this novel initiative.

In her address to the winners of the campaign, she quoted Mahatma Gandhi’s words “Sanitation is more important than independence.” She said that Gandhiji was the biggest supporter and vocal about keeping our environment clean and healthy. A clean mindset and environment leads to good, truthful & honest approach towards life. In fact, it is every one’s responsibility that we need to create a clean, healthy environment not only for ourselves but for others. Governments & municipal corporations can only help to a certain level, but it is our duty to help keep our surroundings clean. 

Reiterating the words of Gandhi, Kansal spoke about that we need to follow his footsteps in our daily lives and treat sanitation as not a burden but as responsibility to set great examples in our lives.

The first place in this unique competition was bagged by railway colony at Andheri (East) with a cash prize of Rs. 15,000, followed by Borivali and Wadala colonies in the 2nd & 3rd place with cash prize of Rs. 12,000 & Rs. 10,000 respectively.  The first & second consolation prizes were bagged by Matunga Road & Bandra (West) railway colonies with a cash prize of Rs. 5000 each . She urged all the residents to keep up the good work of keeping their surroundings clean.