One day awareness and a drawing competition on Swatchta under Swatchhta Pakhwada (16-31 December, 2022) was conducted by the Division of Soil Science & Agronomy of ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation (ICAR-IISWC), Dehradun on 26th December, 2022 at Headquarter campus of the institute by involving the children of the staff.Dr. M. Madhu, Director of the institute appraised the students and children on Swatchta about the competition. Acknowledging the efforts of Division’s staff in organizing the programme for the children on the occasion on he emphasized the importance of continuing such programs for long-term benefits. He requested the children to conserve water, electricity, and food in the daily routine activities. He appreciated and distributed prizes to winners of the competition.

Earlier at the beginning of the programme, Dr. Debashis Mandal, Acting Head of the Division and Principal Scientist (Soils) given the introductory remarks on the importance of Swachhta Campaign. He also briefed about the mandates and activities of the ICAR-IISWC and encouraged the children of the staff to opt the science and agriculture subjects in the higher studies. He also spoke about the role of soils in the ecosystem in filtering mechanism and cleanliness of surrounding environment. In this programme, a drawing competition on Swachhta in three age-group categories (7years, 7-11years and 11-15years) were organized on the topics of importance of Swachhta in our daily life.

Dr. Raman Jeet Singh, Senior Scientist (Agronomy) coordinated the overall activities of the programme. He motivated the students to come-out with innovative ideas to solve the daily routine problems.

Dr. Devideen Yadav, Scientist (Agronomy), Sh. Ashok Kumar, CTO and Smt. Sarita Gupta, ACTO evaluated the performances of the competitions. Sh. Sita Ram (T4), Sh. Mudit Mishra (T3), Smt. Varsha Gupta (T1), and Sh. Rishabh (SRF) organized the various activities of the competitions. Sh. Deepak Kaul (TO), Madhu (SSS) and Sh. Ajit Rana (SSS) coordinated the activity of distribution of refreshment packets among the children and staff members.

About 50 participants including children, their parents, and officials of the IISWC attended the programme. Programme was ended by the vote of thanks by Dr. Devideen Yadav. This programme was organized by following the norms of the COVID protocol. Before the main event, a cleanliness campaign was also conducted by the Divisional staff at Nagal near Shastradhara on 23rd December, 2022 by involving the laborers of the construction site and villgers.