Indian Embassy embarks on cleanliness drive

**Ambassador Mr. Bramha Kumar plants tree with former Zimbabwean Cricket Captain Mr. Alistair Campbel**

Patience Muchemwa

Zim Now Reporter

The Embassy of India in Harare last Tuesday kicked off observance of the Swachhta Hi Seva Hai 2024 (Cleanliness is the Service) period which runs from September 17 to October 2.

“The Embassy is facilitating large-scale advocacy and citizen participation for mega cleanliness drives & clearing of dirty and difficult garbage spots (blackspots), recognize the contribution of sanitation workers, celebrate the achievements over the past decade, and also reaffirm our commitment to the future of sanitation and sustainable waste management,” said the embassy in a statement.

This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the launch of the Swachh Bharat Mission (Clean India Mission), making the campaign even more significant.

Cleaniness drive started with the plantation drive under the theme ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (One Tree for Mother Earth’).

Ambassador Mr. Bramha Kumar led the plantation drive by planting a tree sapling with the Embassy staff in the Chancery premises at 12 Natal Road, Belgaravia.

Former Zimbabwean Cricket Captain Mr. Alistair Campbell also participated in the event to plant the tree.

Zim Now Managing Editor Ms Monica Cheru also participated in the tree planting ceremony with the ambassador.

“The aim of Cleanliness Campaign is to involve people at mass level,” said the Embassy in its statement.

All activities lined up for the period will be Single Use Plastic (SUP) free and zero waste events, the Embassy has said.

Harare faces challenges of littering, uncollected refuse and illegal dump sites, all of which have increased risk of contamination to water sources resulting in outbreaks of diarrheal diseases like cholera and typhoid.