Mangaluru: Kadri Park and its surroundings got a facelift on Sunday after volunteers cleaned the locality during the 33rd Swatchata Abhiyan of Ramakrishna Mission in Mangaluru.

Yenepoya (Deemed to be University) Registrar Srikumar Menon inaugurated the drive in the prsence of Mission Secretary and Ramakrishna Mutt president Swami Jitakamanandaji and others.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Menon said, “We appreciate the efforts of Ramakrishna Mission in converting Swacchata Abhiyan into a mass movement. Along with cleanliness drives, the Mission’s efforts to create awareness among the youths and students through various programmes is laudable. Now UGC has also directed colleges to actively involve students in the cleanliness drives. This will help stop people from littering and spitting anywhere and everywhere.”

Volunteers were divided into five groups and works were allotted among them. Drive started in front of Kadri Park. A team of volunteers cleaned the toy train track, walking track and radio Pavilion inside the park. Another group cleaned the area and the road leading from Kadri Park to Padua while another group cleaned the footpaths in front of Kadri Park.

Using an earthmover, blocks of stone blocking the way on the footpaths were removed and the area was levelled.

Another two groups of volunteers removed plastic banners and buntings illegally put up all over the area in many parts of the city including Kankanadi, Jyothi, Bejai, St. Agnes, Bendoorwell, Pumpwell, Nanthur, Balmatta and other areas.

In the past volunteers of the Abhiyan had renovated the bus shelter in front of Kadri Police Station. The shelter was cleaned by volunteers along with the surrounding spots during Sunday’s drive.

Students of Maps College along carried out awareness campaign by distributing awareness handbills to public in Kadri Park and stressed on the importance of cleanliness and urged the local shop keepers not to litter in the area.