Media Release

Udupi, Oct 2: On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, an extensive cleanliness drive was held near Malpe’s Thottam, with the theme "Our Step Towards Cleanliness." On Wednesday, members of various religious communities, including Hindus, Muslims, and Christians, came together to clean the roads and beach areas in and around Malpe and Thottam, setting a model example of unity in action.

The cleanliness drive was initiated near Thottam Church under the Nirmala Parisara Abhiyan of the Udupi Diocese. It was jointly organized by St. Anne's Church Catholic Sabha, Women's organisation, Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM), YCS, and the Samanvaya Sarva Dharma Samiti (Interfaith Harmony Committee). Simultaneously, volunteers from Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Malpe Women's Wing, and the Humanitarian Relief Society, Malpe unit, led a cleanliness campaign from Malpe to Thottam.

Around 150 citizens participated in the drive, collecting over 300 tons of waste, including plastic and other discarded materials.

Speaking on the occasion, Fr Dennis D'sa from St. Anne's Church highlighted the importance of cleanliness, stating, "A clean environment ensures better health. By maintaining the cleanliness of our surroundings, we can protect ourselves from various diseases. Initiatives like these contribute to the overall well-being of society."

Ramesh Tingalaya, President of the Samanvaya Sarva Dharma Samiti, noted, "So far, we have collected over 300 tons of waste from the Thottam area. A clean environment leads to a healthy life. Everyone should prioritize environmental protection."

Local leaders including Vinod Suvarna, a member of the Thenkanidiyoor gram panchayat, Catholic Sabha president Veena Fernandes, Women's organisation president Lucy Furtado, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind coordinator Shabbir, and cleanliness drive coordinators Onil D'Souza and Leslie Aroza were present at the event, among others.