New Delhi, 01 October (H.S.): Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday launched the nationwide ‘Swachhata Hi Seva 2026’ campaign at the University of Delhi (DU), joining teachers, students, National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers and university officials in a cleanliness drive.

The campaign covered areas from the university campus to Kamala Nehru Ridge, popularly known as Bonta. Participants also took a cleanliness pledge as part of the initiative.

The programme began at 7:30 a.m. from the roundabout near Gwyer Hall Hostel. Gupta, accompanied by her team, proceeded towards Kamala Nehru Ridge via the PG Men’s Hostel and the university guest house, with cleanliness activities conducted along the route.

The drive covered not only the university campus but also the portion of Kamala Nehru Ridge located opposite Gate No. 1.

The programme was attended by Professor Rajni Abbi, Director of the South Campus of the University of Delhi; Professor Payal Mago, Director of the College of Open Learning; Shweta Nagarkoti, Deputy Commissioner of the North Zone of the Municipal Corporation; MLA Surya Prakash Khatri; former Delhi Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh; and Professor K.P. Singh, Director of Gandhi Bhavan.

University teachers, officials, employees and office-bearers of the Delhi University Students’ Union also participated in the programme. A large number of students and NSS volunteers joined the cleanliness drive, along with officials and employees of the municipal corporation.

At the beginning of the programme, Gupta and the other participants took a cleanliness pledge aimed at raising public awareness about sanitation and encouraging collective participation.

Professor K.P. Singh, the nodal officer for the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign at the University of Delhi, said the university’s cleanliness initiative is being conducted from September 17 to October 17, 2026.

This year’s theme is ‘Participation in Cleanliness, Clean India, Developed India’, while the campaign slogan is ‘One Day, One Hour, Together’.

The campaign seeks to encourage students, teachers and university employees to take an active role in cleanliness activities and strengthen collective responsibility for maintaining clean and healthy public spaces.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar