Daijiworld Media Network-Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Nov 22: A Swachh Bharat campaign was held by Mother of Sorrows Church, Udupi, here on Saturday, November 22, at New Harsha Showroom behind the Church premises.

Addressing the gathering, Bishop Gerald Issac Lobo said, “Clean up India or Swachh Bharat Abhiyan concept should begin from our home. Everyone has to keep their surroundings neat and clean. Clean-up means not only waste disposal but to keep our soul clean from all deceits first. Many NRIs follow cleanliness in foreign countries but in India, we neglect cleaning our surroundings which is true”.

“Everyone should have consciousness about cleaning and need to teach this to their children. It should not be limited for one day. This is a continuous process and we should strive for cleanliness to the best of our efforts”, he added.

MLA Pramodh Madhwaraj said, “Udupi region is one of the most clean and neat regions with compared to the other districts in the state. Nearly 70% of Udupi is clean under CMC management and 30% areas are polluted by the bus drivers, pedestrians and migrants from other places”.

“Some people say their domestic waste does not affect the environment and are least bothered about public health and hygiene. This prejudice has to be removed. Being Indians, all of us should strive for cleanliness and make atmosphere 100% clean”, he further stressed.

Fr Denis D’Sa, Udupi Diocese, Fr Baptist Menezes, vicar general of Udupi diocese, Fr Wilson, Fr William Martis, Fr Clement Mascarenhas, Boniface D’Souza, Alponse D’Costa and Prakash Andrade among others were present for the event.