IMPHAL, Sept 29 - Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren Singh today launched the Swachh Survekshan 2019 theme song, �Houro Laklo� (Rise and Come), to encourage large-scale citizen participation in cleanliness campaigns at a simple function here.
The Chief Minister also launched the Google Toilet Locator (GTL) and Swachhta App (SA) on the occasion. The GTL will enable people to locate the nearest public toilet, when needed, on the smartphone. The SA is a complaint redress application and web platform on which citizens can upload photos of garbage in any part of the State, thus helping the municipal authorities remove the trash.
Manipur Housing and Urban Development (MAHUD) Minister Th Shaymkumar, MAHUD Secretary Mongjam Joy, its Director N Gitkumar, Joint Director Ng Uttam and other officials attended the function today. The first Swachh Survekshan began in 73 cities across the country in 2016, followed by the second and third editions in 2017 covering cleanliness competitions in 434 cities. In 2018, 4,203 cities, including 61 cantonment boards, have been covered. The fourth Swachh Survekshan 2019 is likely to cover all the cities of India. Significantly, all the 27 municipal towns in Manipur were declared open defecation-free (ODF) last month, according to MAHUD officials.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister told media persons that the State Government has decided to observe the birth anniversary of Hijam Irabot, noted social activist, on September 30. He said the State Cabinet has taken the decision to organise the birth anniversary as a State function from this year onwards.
Singh said that the State-level function would be held near the Saheed Minar in the heart of Imphal after laying the foundation stone for the construction of a statue of Irabot at Thangmeiband opposite the Manipur State Legislative Assembly premises. Prof N Joykumar, Prof Lokendra and senior journalist Pradip Panjoubam will deliver talks on the life and works of Irabot at the State function.
