Baramulla, Oct 2: Minister for Agriculture Production, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Cooperative and Election Departments, Javid Ahmad Dar, on Thursday attended the culmination of Swachhata Hi Seva and the launch of Reforms Utsav (Gram Sabha) at Government Degree College, Tangmarg, marking the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Organised by the Directorate of Rural Sanitation, RD&PR, J&K, the programme focused on cleanliness, community participation and grassroots development.
MLA Gulmarg Peerzada Farooq Ahmad Shah, Director General Rural Sanitation, RD&PR, J&K Anoo Malhotra, ACD Baramulla, the college principal, senior district officers and residents of Tangmarg and adjoining areas attended the event.
Paying tribute to Gandhi, Dar recalled his emphasis on truth, non-violence, dignity of labour, cleanliness, self-reliance and service to humanity. He said Gandhi viewed sanitation as a collective social responsibility and stressed the importance of empowered villages and public participation under the concept of Gram Swaraj.
“Swachhata is life and cleanliness is not the responsibility of one department or one individual; it is a collective responsibility of society as a whole,” Dar said, calling for sustained public participation to keep villages, towns and public spaces clean.
The Minister also stressed the need to protect J&K’s water bodies, natural resources and fragile environment, saying the region’s natural wealth carries a responsibility for its preservation for future generations.
On Reforms Utsav, Dar said its launch on Gandhi Jayanti was significant as the initiative seeks to strengthen participatory governance at the grassroots. He said Gram Sabhas provide citizens a platform to identify local priorities, discuss development needs and participate in planning according to community requirements.
Dar maintained that sustainable rural development cannot be achieved through government efforts alone and called for greater public ownership of sanitation and development initiatives.
A plantation drive, quiz competition and flag-off ceremony for sanitation workers were also held. The Minister appreciated the contribution of sanitation workers and highlighted the importance of recognising their role in maintaining healthy and hygienic communities.
MLA Gulmarg Peerzada Farooq Ahmad Shah also spoke on the importance of cleanliness, community participation and sustainable rural development.
Later, Dar visited Government Degree College Tangmarg and inspected the Multi-Sports Hall and Library-cum-Reading Room. He reviewed the facilities and infrastructure available to students and interacted with the college administration regarding their requirements and amenities.
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