“SEVAI Shanthi Matric Higher Secondary School celebrates Mahatma Gandhi’s Birth Day as -Clean India Day”

Mahatma Gandhi’s Birth Day

Mahatma Gandhi’s Birth DaySEVAI Shanthi Matric Higher Secondary School celebrates Mahatma Gandhi’s Birth Day as -Clean India Day. SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation Higher Secondary School celebrated Mahatma Gandhi's birthday on October 2^nd 2017. Gandhi’s birthday events include the showing of films and book readings on Mahatma Gandhi's life and achievements. Mahatma Gandhi, also known as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, was born on October 2, 1869, and died on January 30, 1948. He was a political and spiritual leader in India and played a key role in the Indian independence movement. Gandhi developed the novel technique of non-violent agitation, which he called "Satyagraha", loosely translated as "moral domination". The cleanliness is important in our life as well as for the nation. It is well known that the Mahatma Gandhi personally took the effort to achieve the change that he wanted to see. Teachers’ and students’ role is very important to create awareness on cleanliness. In today’s world the role of social media is important to create awareness among the people and inculcate a feeling of nationality among them. Cleanliness is not only the responsibility of the sanitation worker. It is the responsibility of all Indians. It is the responsibility of the Government officers, NGOs, Schools and the local community to make India completely clean. It’s a need of the present; all the people should actively participate to clean India to fulfill the dream of Mahatma Gandhi for the protection of the environment, for our safety, and for a healthy future. When he inspected a model school, he told the teachers: “You will make your institution ideal, if besides giving the students literary education, you have made cooks and sweepers of them."Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Swachh Bharat- drive recently. Taking this initiative a step ahead, students of SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Trichirapalli District have taken the initiative beyond classrooms. Schools are encouraging hygiene and sanitation related activities as they are asking students to ensure that the vicinity around their residence is kept clean. Students

Flower tribute for Gandhiji image by SSMHSS.

of SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation Higher Secondary School were enthusiastic after they cleaned their schools and were eager to step out to ensure the villages around them are also maintained clean. The School teachers explained about the need to keep the surrounding clean, and to create awareness outside the school as well. The students were taught about the need to maintain basic hygiene and sanitation, and also to understand the adverse health effects of filth lying around. Hence the Principal Mrs.Chitra Balasubramanian explained the students the impact and the need to maintain a healthy environment. The toilet facilities SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation Higher Secondary School have enhanced the sanitation standards in schools leading to better health and hygiene among the children. Enrolment and retention of children in schools, particularly of girls, is also expected to increase significantly. Teachers feel that if students are taught about the need to maintain basic sanitation and cleanliness in all aspects,

Village Road Cleaning by School workers

then they will also ensure that these are maintained at home. Thus, making it easier for the society to spread the message of clean and beautiful villages.SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation Higher Secondary School provides adequate number of toilets, filling up of gaps in provision of sufficient number of toilets, rehabilitation of existing toilets and drinking water system in school, regular repair of toilets and drinking water system in school is the school sanitation plan. The school ensures adequate, Water, Sanitation, Hand washing with soap, Operations & Maintenance, Behaviour change & capacity building. Teachers are to hold sensitization meeting with parents on cleanliness and sanitation. and they inspect sanitary facilities in every toilet both for boys and girls and plan for repairs and up keep. SEVAI Shanthi Matriculation Higher Secondary School has undertaken sanitation activities such as Cleanliness drive in the Schools ,Premises, toilets etc., Displaying banners and slogan writing on cleanliness, Other cultural programmes on clean India, Weeding out old files, removal and repair of broken furniture, equipments etc and Awareness creation to school children through audio-visual programmes which results in  Improvement in health & hygiene practices of children, their families & communities, Inclusion of health & hygiene in the extracurricular activities and teaching methods. Hygiene in schools also supports school nutrition. Healthy and well nourished children can fully participate in school and get the most from the education and Behavioral changes in hygiene and the school is one of the most important contributory units where from the issues of hygiene and sanitation would emanate to achieve the goals of ‘Clean India’ campaign.-Kris