The University of Kerala and its affiliated colleges have launched a massive cleaning drive in the the flood-affected areas of Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta.
The initial phase of the mission, spearheaded by the National Scheme Scheme (NSS) unit at the university, saw the participation of around 525 students representing 73 KU-affiliated colleges in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Pathanamthitta.
The two-day drive, titled ‘Naavyam 2018’, undertook the cleaning of 80 houses and two government-run schools in Edanadu and Mangalam, both suburbs of Chengannur.
A. Shaji, programme coordinator of the NSS unit, said huge quantities of slurry and dirt were removed from the houses. “It took the 15-member team around 4 hours to clean each house. The students also repaired damaged furniture in households,” he said.
They were equipped with cleaning gear, including masks, gloves and gumboots. Adequate supply of cleaning agents was provided by the Alappuzha district administration and the relief collection centres that functioned in Thiruvananthapuram. Suchitwa Mission provided logistical support for the endeavour.
Second phase
Encouraged by the outcome of their efforts, the students will now begin the second phase of the drive on Tuesday, to be undertaken in association with the Thiruvananthapuram railway division of Southern Railway.
Over 400 NSS volunteers, representing roughly 70 affiliated colleges, will travel to Thiruvalla, Chengannur and other parts of Alappuzha to clean schools a day before the institutions reopen after the Onam vacation, on August 29.
“Railways will permit ticketless journey for the students on Parasuram Express and Jan Shatabdi Express, and will also arrange for transportation to the identified schools, besides ensuring the supply of food and other refreshments. Each college NSS unit will be entrusted with the responsibility of tidying up two or three schools. The participants will be presented certificates issued by Indian Railways, Dr. Shaji said.
Plans were afoot to bring schools in the Upper Kuttanad region under the endeavour, but the delay in restoring road connectivity to the area posed problems.
The Kerala University will also become part of the State-wide cleaning drive that has been proposed by the government. The schedule of the drive is yet to be finalised, official sources said.
