Mcl# Swachhata Pakhwada #

To further spread the message of cleanliness and civic responsibility, POWERGRID organized a *Nukkad Natak* (street play) to engage the public and create awareness about sanitation and environmental stewardship. The observance reflects the organization’s broader commitment to sustainable development and community participation. As of 30 May 2026, POWERGRID operates 291 substations, over 185,102 circuit kilometres of transmission lines, and 628,516 MVA of transformation capacity. Leveraging advanced technologies, automation, and digital solutions, the company continues to maintain an average transmission system availability of more than 99.78%, underscoring its leadership in India’s power transmission sector.

Adding to the occasion, REC Ltd. CMD Shri Jitendra Srivastava, IAS, unveiled a 200-kg Charkha installation made entirely of recycled iron, symbolizing self-reliance and sustainability. This striking piece served as the centrepiece of the event and reinforced the core philosophy of the Swachhata movement—that with creativity, even waste can become a valuable asset. The initiative not only promoted environmental responsibility but also inspired employees and visitors to rethink their relationship with waste, turning discarded items into symbols of progress and pride.

Throughout the Swachhata Pakhwada, the participating PSUs engaged in a variety of activities, such as administering the swachhata pledge, cleaning townships, factories, and nearby villages/slums, and maintaining cleanliness in schools adopted under the Swachh Vidyalaya initiative.

Dr. Deepa Lavangare, Deputy Chief Medical Officer (TE-Public Health), was the Chief Guest, while present on the occasion were Mr. T.B. Toppo, AGM (CSR), Mr. Sushil Toppo, Sarpanch (Ankurpalli) and Ms. Richa Sudhiram, Manager (CSR).

Dr. Deepa Lavangare, in her address, emphasized the significance of cleanliness and encouraged the community to adopt hygienic practices. She placed special emphasis on reducing the use of single-use plastics, preventing children from consuming water from plastic pouches and bottles, ensuring proper hygiene for animals, avoiding littering, and preventing waste accumulation on roads and waterlogging. She stressed the need for collective efforts in maintaining a clean environment for a healthier future.

Mr. Sushil Toppo, the Sarpanch of Ankurpalli, extended his gratitude to the CSR department of RSP for organizing the event and for their consistent efforts in spreading awareness about cleanliness and hygiene among the rural communities.

A key highlight of the event was a Nukad Natak (street play) performed on the theme of Swachhata (cleanliness). The play effectively conveyed the importance of cleanliness through an engaging and entertaining performance, resonating well with the local audience.

At the outset Mr. T B Toppo delivered the welcome address and briefed about the programme while  Ms. Richa Sudhiram proposed a formal vote of thanks. The programme was coordinated by CSR Department.

Mr. Tarun Misra, ED (HR) led the swachhata pledge taking ceremony held at Samadhan Conference Hall on 17th March, 2025. Mr. Srimant Panda, CGM (HR), senior officers and employees of the HR department took the swachhata pledge.

Earlier, another pledge taking ceremony was organized at the Town Services Department. Mr. P K Swain, CGM In-Charge (TA & CSR) chaired the programme attended by Mr. T G Kanekar, GM In-charge (TS), Senior Officers and employees of the department. Swachhata Pledge was administered to all on the occasion.

Notably, the Swachhata Pakhwada 2025 is going to be organized with special emphasis on ‘Steel Safety Day’ on 28th March, and to continue focus on ‘Hygience and Sanitation’ particularly keeping in mind the curbing of Single use Plastic (SUP).

In a function organised in Civil Engineering Services Department, on 27^th September, 2024, Mr. MNVS Prabhakar, CGM In-charge (Services) handed over token gifts to 11 contract workers of Messrs Himanshu Brothers, Messrs M M Construction, Messrs Ambika Enterprise, Messrs P P Enterprise, Messrs R R Enterprise and Messrs P K Kansal, engaged in different cleaning activities. Present on the occasion were Mr. Pavan Gupta, GM In-charge (CES), Mr. G R Dash, GM (HR) and other officers and employees of CES and HR Department. The function was coordinated by Mr. P K Bhuyan, AGM (CES).

In another function organized in Ispat General Hospital on 26^th September, Dr. Jayant Kumar Acharya, CMO In-charge (M&HS) felicitated 20 contract workers for their exception performance in keeping the Hospital and its premises clean. Present on the occasion were Dr. R R Mohanty, CMO (M&HS) and other Senior Doctors and staff of IGH. The programme was coordinated by Mr. S C Parichcha, Deputy Manager (HR).

On 25^th September the students of Delhi Public School, Sector – 14 in collaboration with the Public Health Unit, presented an exhilarating Street Play under the banner ‘Swachhata hi Seva’ near Ispat Central Market. A large number of spectators gathered to witness the play and encourage the students. The play focused on waste management through proper garbage disposal, health risks associated with open defecation, devastating effects of single use plastic on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem and the importance of healthy hygiene practices to combat vector-borne diseases like dengue and malaria.

The play was coordinated by the school authorities and the Public Health Unit led by Ms. Deepa Lavangare, Deputy CMO (TE- Public Health).

The inauguration of Swachhata Pakhwada witnessed a stirring pledge ceremony led by Shri Induri S Reddy, GM (O&M)