Kargil, September 17, 2025: The District Panchayat Office, Kargil, Rural Development Department (RDD) launched the Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2025 campaign today in collaboration with the Government Degree College (GDC) Kargil, Department of Environmental Science. The campaign, scheduled from 17th September to 2nd October 2025, is part of the nationwide movement to promote cleanliness, sanitation, and people’s participation.
The program began with a warm welcome address by Abdul Hamid, HOD EVD Department GDC Kargil who extended greetings to all present and thanked the District Panchayat Office for selecting GDC Kargil as the venue for the rollout. He emphasized the importance of linking youth with such national campaigns, noting that students are not only learners in classrooms but also torchbearers of social change. His remarks set a constructive and inspiring tone for the day.
As part of the event, four students of the college delivered brief speeches highlighting the different dimensions of the SHS campaign. They spoke about the importance of community-led cleanliness drives, the role of sanitation in health and well-being, the responsibility of youth in spreading awareness, and the vision of a cleaner, greener Kargil. Their words reflected youthful enthusiasm and reinforced the relevance of the campaign at the grassroots level.
Ms. Raziya Khatoon, District Panchayat Officer Kargil, addressed the gathering and outlined the calendar of activities under SHS 2025. She explained that the rollout was organized at the college with the aim of making students ambassadors of Swachhata, so that they may carry the message of hygiene and sanitation to their families and villages across the district.
She informed the audience about the planned activities, In all blocks which include:
18th to 24th September: Cleanliness and awareness drives in all blocks, painting and debate competitions, and health check-ups for sanitation workers under Safaimitra Suraksha Shivir.
25th September: “Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath” – a collaborative nationwide activity with multiple stakeholders.
26th September to 1st October: Cleanliness drives at tourist and heritage sites, market areas, and community toilets.
2nd October: Closing of the campaign.
Speaking about the initiatives of the Rural Development Department, Ms. Raziya Khatoon highlighted the mission to achieve ODF Plus Model villages in rural areas and acknowledged the challenges faced in sustaining sanitation infrastructure. She urged all participants, especially the youth, to become active partners in building a cleaner and healthier society.
The program saw enthusiastic participation from faculty members, staff, and a large number of students of GDC Kargil, demonstrating the shared commitment of academic institutions and government departments towards the vision of Swachhata.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Nasreen Fatima, who expressed appreciation for the collaboration between the District Panchayat Office Kargil (RDD) and GDC Kargil. She also commended the active involvement of students in giving voice to the campaign’s objectives.
The rollout at Degree College Kargil not only marked the district-level launch of SHS 2025 but also showcased the spirit of youth participation, reinforcing the message that students can become the true messengers of Swachhata across Ladakh.
