Dussehra programme highlights cleanliness, pollution control and environmental protection

Students at SD Public School in Model Town marked Dussehra with a message of cleanliness and environmental responsibility, symbolically slaying the Ravana of filth by launching the ‘Arrow of Cleanliness’ during an awareness programme organised by the Municipal Corporation’s Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) team.

The programme used the festival’s familiar message of the victory of good over evil to encourage children to help build a cleaner, healthier and more beautiful city. Through the activity, students were urged to treat cleanliness not as a one-day campaign but as a daily responsibility at school, at home and in public places.

Students portray environmental and social challenges

During the event, students represented a range of environmental and social problems through different forms of Ravana. These included unclean surroundings, plastic pollution, water and air pollution, littering in open spaces, the spread of diseases and substance abuse. The symbolic ‘Arrow of Cleanliness’ represented a collective resolve to overcome these problems and make responsible behaviour part of everyday life.

The activity connected the cultural significance of Dussehra with practical steps that communities can take to protect public spaces and the environment. Students were encouraged to avoid throwing waste in the open, reduce plastic pollution and understand the importance of proper waste management.

Focus on waste management and everyday habits

SBM Expert Durgesh Kumar, representing the Municipal Corporation, said the initiative aimed to raise awareness among students and motivate them to maintain cleanliness in their surroundings, curb plastic pollution and manage waste properly. The programme sought to encourage young people to become messengers of cleanliness and carry the message from school to their families and neighbourhoods.

Simple habits—using waste bins, keeping streets and school premises clean, avoiding single-use plastic where possible and ensuring that waste is disposed of responsibly—can help prevent pollution and reduce conditions that contribute to disease. The message also underlined that a clean city depends on sustained public participation, rather than the efforts of any single department or group.

Collective action can defeat the ‘Ravana’ of pollution

School Principal Sunita Sharma said the programme conveyed that, just as Dussehra symbolises the triumph of good over evil, collective efforts can also help society overcome filth and pollution. She emphasised the value of awareness and participation in creating a cleaner environment.

Coordinator Bhawna, Activity In-charge Anju Sharma and other staff members were present during the programme. Their participation supported the broader message that schools can play an important role in building environmental awareness and encouraging responsible civic habits among children.

The ‘Arrow of Cleanliness’ initiative offered a festival-themed reminder that cleaner surroundings begin with individual choices and become more effective when people act together. By linking Dussehra’s message with environmental protection, the students highlighted how small, consistent steps can contribute to a healthier community.