Novel International School Students Take the Lead for a Cleaner Future
Students promote cleanliness, environmental conservation and responsible citizenship
PIMPRI-CHINCHWAD : Novel International School organised a series of cleanliness drives, awareness rallies and creative activities to mark the birth anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.
The initiatives aimed to inculcate the values of cleanliness, environmental conservation, social responsibility, dignity of labour and responsible citizenship among students.
The programme began with a disciplined and inspirational assembly, during which students were introduced to the importance of the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ (Cleanliness is Service) campaign. Students were encouraged to understand that cleanliness should not be limited to a particular day but should become a part of everyday life. The importance of collective participation by families, schools and communities in maintaining a clean environment was also highlighted.
Students were also sensitised to the connection between cleanliness, health, environmental protection and responsible citizenship under the broader vision of ‘Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat’ (Clean India, Developed India).
The programme was attended by Amit Gorkhe, founder-president of Novel Group of Institutes and MLA; Executive Director Vilas Jeurkar; School Manager Dr Priya Gorkhe; Technical Department Head Sameer Jeurkar; Principal Mridula Gaikwad; and Vice-Principal Vaishali Harugade. Teaching and non-teaching staff actively participated in the activities and guided the students.
Creative activities for students
A range of creative and activity-based initiatives was organised for students from Classes 1 to 10 according to their respective age groups. These included drawing and colouring, slogan writing, poster-making and wall decoration.
Through these activities, students presented creative messages on cleanliness, environmental conservation, tree protection, social responsibility and healthy living.
Under the ‘Swachh Pathshala’ (Clean School) initiative, students were sensitised to the importance of keeping classrooms, the school campus and washrooms clean and hygienic. They were also guided on proper waste management, maintaining personal and public cleanliness and taking care of shared spaces.
Students participate in cleanliness drive at Bird Valley
Students from Classes 5 and 6 participated in a cleanliness drive at the Bird Valley Park area and contributed through hands-on voluntary work.
Along with cleaning the surroundings, the students spread awareness about maintaining cleanliness in public places. The initiative conveyed the message that public cleanliness is not solely the responsibility of the administration but a collective responsibility of every citizen.
The activity gave students practical exposure to the values of dignity of labour, protection of public property and social responsibility towards their surroundings.
Awareness rally promotes ‘Reuse and Recycle’
Students from Class 8 organised an awareness rally focusing on cleanliness, road safety, tree conservation, tree plantation and ‘Reuse and Recycle’.
Through slogans, posters and awareness messages, the students encouraged citizens to adopt environmentally responsible practices.
The students highlighted the importance of reuse and recycling, urging people not to immediately discard usable items as waste, to segregate waste properly and to promote recycling.
During the rally, slogans such as ‘Reduce Waste, Increase Reuse’, ‘Clean Surroundings, Healthy Life’, ‘Plant Trees, Save Trees’ and ‘Road Safety – Our Collective Responsibility’ were used to spread awareness about cleanliness, environmental conservation, tree plantation and road safety.
Classes 9 and 10 conduct cleanliness campaign
Students from Classes 9 and 10 conducted a cleanliness campaign in and around the school premises and actively participated in the drive.
They not only cleaned the surroundings but also encouraged proper disposal of waste, adoption of healthy cleanliness habits and motivating others to contribute towards maintaining a clean environment.
The initiative sought to strengthen values such as self-discipline, dignity of labour, social responsibility, teamwork and collective participation among students.
Focus on learning through action
A key feature of the initiative was its emphasis on ‘Learn and Put into Action’, rather than limiting awareness about cleanliness to classroom discussions.
Activities were designed according to the age groups of students, allowing them to understand the importance of cleanliness, environmental conservation and social responsibility through practical experience.
Teachers and non-teaching staff actively guided the students and contributed to the successful implementation of the various activities. The initiatives also focused on developing leadership qualities, teamwork, communication skills, creativity and social awareness among students.
Message of ‘Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat’
Special emphasis was placed on the vision of ‘Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat’ during the programme. Students were told that clean surroundings, healthy citizens, environmental protection, responsible use of resources and active citizen participation are important components of the country’s overall development.
Through the message of ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’, students were encouraged to begin the practice of cleanliness at home, in school and in their neighbourhoods, and to make cleanliness an integral part of everyday life.
Overall, the initiatives reinforced the concept of ‘Clean School, Clean Surroundings and Healthy Society’ while creating awareness among students about cleanliness, environmental conservation, reuse and recycling, tree plantation, road safety and social participation.
The enthusiastic participation of students gave the programme an action-oriented, educational and socially relevant character.
