‘Punyam Poonkavanam’ cleaning project at Sabarimala Sannidhanam is fast turning into a sustainable model with the increasing support it has been receiving from different quarters ever since its inception on November 23.
The project aimed at keeping the Sabarimala Sannidhanam clean and hygienic is the brainchild of the Special Officer of Police at Sabarimala, P.Vijayan, IPS, who has been unfailingly undertaking Special Officer’s duty at Sabarimala since 2003.
Devaswom Bench of the Kerala High Court too has appreciated the Punyam Poonkavanam initiative.
Talking to The Hindu , Mr Vijayan, said the idea is to ensure effective cleaning and sanitation at Sabarimala through a collective effort.
Every person visiting Sabarimala as well as the entire staff, priests and workers on duty at the pilgrim should be made part of this cleaning mission, he said.
The senior Tantri (head priest), Kandararu Maheswararu, inaugurated the project by picking waste from the Lower Tirumuttom on November 23 in the presence of the Inspector General of Police, K. Padmakumar and Mr Vijayan. Sabarimala Melsanthi, N. Balamurali and other priests also took part in the cleaning drive, along with the police, Rapid Action Force and other staff on duty at the Sannidhanam.
The cleaning drive is held for one hour from 9 am to 10 am on a daily basis and it ensures participation of all the staff on duty through out the pilgrim season. As many as 5000 employees, including police personnel, staff attached to various Government departments, non-governmental and devotees’ organisations have been posted on duty at Sabarimala during the annual pilgrim season. This is besides the nearly 2000 workers on daily wages.
Mr Vijayan says the idea is to effectively tap this huge human resource and engage them in the hour-long cleaning programme every day for keeping Sabarimala clean.
The scheme ensures involvement of the staff on duty as well as the Ayyappa devotees in keeping the pilgrim centre clean.
High Court Judge takes part in cleaning drive Mr Justice C.T. Ravikumar of the Devaswom Bench of Kerala High Court too had joined the police personnel and other staff on duty in the hour-long cleaning drive held as part of the Punyam Poonkavanam project at the Sannidhanam on Sunday.
Special Commissioner appointed by the High Court, S.Jagadish, Devaswom Executive Officer, M.Sathishkumar and Mr Vijayan too were among those who took part in the cleaning programme on Sunday.
Mr Vijayan said the ‘Punyam Poonkavanam’ project would continue till the culmination of the ongoing pilgrim season.
