Bhubaneswar, 05 October (H.S.) : Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan has urged the people of Sambalpur district to participate in a massive cleanliness drive scheduled to be held across the district on October 10 under the ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’, calling for cleanliness to be transformed into a people’s movement.

In a video message addressed to the people of Sambalpur, Pradhan said cleanliness and purity have always held a place of prominence in Odisha’s culture and traditions. Cleanliness, he said, is not confined to the four walls of a house but is an integral part of one’s lifestyle, values and character.

Referring to the tradition of cleanliness in Odisha, Pradhan said the ‘Laxmi Purana’ emphasises that Goddess Lakshmi resides where cleanliness prevails. He noted that during festivals and religious occasions, people traditionally clean their homes and surroundings first, as cleanliness and purity are considered essential for worship and rituals. He described this tradition as not merely a routine practice but also a spiritual and social responsibility handed down by generations.

Pradhan recalled the contribution of Mahatma Gandhi to promoting cleanliness, saying that the revered Bapu regarded sanitation not merely as a personal habit but as the foundation of a healthy society and a better life. By personally participating in cleanliness activities, Gandhi had set an example for the entire country, he said.

Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message that “Swachhata Hi Seva” (cleanliness is service), Pradhan said keeping the surroundings clean amounts to serving society, the nation and future generations.

He said Sambalpur is the sacred land of Maa Samaleswari, the land of legendary freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai and the place of literary and spiritual pursuit of poet Gangadhar Meher. Describing Sambalpur as a vital centre of Odisha’s literature, culture, art and values, he said it was the collective responsibility of everyone to keep the sacred land clean, beautiful, garbage-free and healthy.

Pradhan appealed to every citizen of Sambalpur, including youth, women, public representatives and members of various organisations, to actively participate in the cleanliness drive on October 10. He urged people to contribute to cleaning their villages, neighbourhoods, wards, localities and public spaces.

Calling for collective participation, Pradhan appealed to the people to turn cleanliness into a mass movement and work together to make Sambalpur a cleaner, more beautiful and healthier district.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda