Mangaluru : Ramakrishna Mission Swachata Abhiyan’s 35th Shramadan was organized at Yekkur on 10th June at 7.30 am. Smt. Devaki Muthukrishnan, Former Director, Reserve Bank of India, Bangalore flagged off the drive in the presence of Swami Jitakamanandaji. Captain Ganesh Karnik welcomed the volunteers. Sri Mohan Bhat, Kamalaksha Pai, Bhaskar Shetty, Vasanthi Nayak, Yashodhara Chowta, Kiran Fernandes, Masa Hiro and several others were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Smt. Devaki Muthukrishnan said, “I really appreciate the Swacch Manas programmes under Swacch Manaluru Abhiyan. If the minds are cleansed automatically it will lead to cleaner nation. Mangalore model of the Abhiyan should be replicated all over India. I appreciate and laud the efforts of hundreds of dedicated volunteers who have assembled here in spite of severe rain and wind”

Dedication of new Bus shelter: With the support of localites a new bus shelter has been erected at Yekkur junction. The local public had requested several civic authorities to erect a much needed bus shelter which had not yet seen encouraging response. Hence Team members of Swacch Yekkur approached Ramakrishna Mission Swacch Mangaluru seeking help. Within five days, volunteers ignoring the incessant rains and wind realized the dream by their dedicated efforts. Roof, Concrete floor, Independent seats, hoarding having message of Swacch Bharath are special characteristics of the shelter. They were painted today and the surrounding areas were cleaned and the shelter was dedicated.

Shramadan: In spite of rains at the beginning, volunteers worked till 10 am. Volunteers cleaned the area surrounding the new shelter. They also removed the plastic and papers. They also cleaned the area from Yekkur junction to National Highway off the overgrown weeds and they were transported in a tipper. The ground was levelled using a JCB. That spot is now being used as an auto stand. Sri Umanath Kotekar guided the volunteers. Suresh Shetty & other volunteers visited nearby shops and houses spreading message of awareness.

Maintenance: The spots prone to littering by public were cleaned and maintained by placing flower pots. Volunteers under Sri Uday K P cleaned the spot in front of Cascia High school and removed weeds and overgrown grass. They also similarly cleaned the area in Marnamikatta where such spots have been modified. Chirag, Prajwal, Vaishakh & others volunteerd in the work. As every week, volunteers led by Souraj Mangalore, Sandip Kodikal and others removed nearly more than 500 flex banners from Yekkur, Pumpwell, Padil areas.

Members of Hindu Yuva Sena, Yekkur, Ayyappa Bhajana Mandira, Nandadeepa Mahila Mandali and others actively participated Baba Yekkur, Satish T, Tejaswini B Acharya, Sharana Basava, Avinash Anchan, Rajeshwari Vinayaraj, Abhishek V S and others were present. Shubhoday Alva coordinated the volunteers. All the volunteers were served tiffin after the Abhiyan.

MRPL & Nitte Institutions are sponsoring the drive.