CLEANUP DURING STRIKE IN KALIMPONG

In picture is KD Pradhan Road in Kalimpong where the garbage collected by the residents
is kept in bags.

Rajeev Ravidas, TT: Residents of a Kalimpong locality have initiated cleanliness drive to make the most of spare time during the strike period.

People of Primtam Road and its adjoining localities, along with members of Sumeru Welfare Society and local youth club, have been hitting the streets, armed with brooms, sickles and spades to clear out the filth, garbage and unwanted vegetation on the road, in the drains and streams.

The initiative, started about three weeks ago, is not regimented. The people come out on the streets whenever the need arises.

Sandip C Jain, the secretary of the society, said the idea was to make productive use of the available time during the strike and keep the youths in particular engaged. "The idea was to keep the youths of the area busy during the strike and utilise their time and energy constructively. The heartening thing was the overwhelming and enthusiastic support of the youngsters for the initiative. Now, we can claim to be the cleanest locality in town," he said.

On Wednesday, the locality wore a better look with clean streets, roadside walls bereft of wild growths and drains free of filth. However, some of the garbage-filled jhoras (stream) need more cleaning.

Local youths, Nandan Dewan and Udai Lama, too, agreed that the response of both young and old people had been overwhelming.

"Some of us attend rallies for Gorkhaland that take place every day since the start of the strike - on June 15 - but immediately rush back to our area to take part in the cleaning drive. People from all walks of life work side by side," said Nandan.

Lt Col (Retd) DK Pradhan, the president of the society, said the cleanliness drive was a noble way of keeping residents occupied. "This is also our way of contributing towards a better society. This is our birthplace and the place where we have spent most of our time. It is essential for us to keep it clean and beautiful," he said.