Odisha CM Honours Bhubaneswar Sanitation Workers on Gandhi Jayanti and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’s 10th Anniversary

Bhubaneswar: In a special event marking the 155th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and the 10th anniversary of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi honoured sanitation workers of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) for their relentless efforts in keeping the city clean.

The event, held at Swaminanathan Hall of the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), saw Majhi express deep gratitude to the workers, acknowledging their essential role in maintaining a clean environment and promoting public health. “Your tireless work is the backbone of our city’s cleanliness and health. We are all indebted to your service,” the Chief Minister said, showering flowers on the workers as a symbolic gesture of appreciation.

Highlighting the progress of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Majhi noted its transformative impact across India. “Not just Bhubaneswar or Odisha, but the entire nation is moving towards complete cleanliness thanks to this campaign,” he remarked. The Chief Minister also praised Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation’s continuous efforts in cleanliness drives and waste management initiatives, attributing the city’s special standing in sanitation to the dedication of its workers.

Majhi further mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam’ program, which aims to plant 5 crore trees in Odisha, with 4 crore 40 lakh trees already planted, emphasizing the importance of environmental sustainability alongside cleanliness.

During the event, five standout sanitation workers – Sukanti Singh, Janaki Behera, Abhimanyu Gochhayat, Rama Naik, and Sarat Naik – were honoured for their outstanding contributions. The Chief Minister emphasized that maintaining cleanliness is a shared responsibility, urging citizens to actively participate in keeping their surroundings clean.

Union Minister Bhupender Yadav and Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan also addressed the gathering, underscoring the need to recognize the vital role of sanitation workers and manual laborers in society. Both ministers expressed their admiration for the workers’ commitment and the broader impact of their contributions.