Media Release

Puttur, Mar 21: As part of the 'Green City – Clean City' campaign, the Syro-Malabar Youth Movement (SMYM) of St Alphonsa Shrine, Nelyady, successfully conducted a massive cleanliness drive in the Nelyady town area and held a programme to hand over dustbins to the gram panchayat. The youth team set a social example by clearing piles of garbage that had accumulated in Nelyady town due to highway construction and narrow roads. On this occasion, five dustbins were donated to the Nelyady gram panchayat, which were received by the staff in the presence of Panchayat administrator Jayaraj and secretary Bharati.

Inaugurating the programme, Fr Shaji Mathew, parish priest of St Alphonsa Church, stated that the cooperation of organizations and the public is essential to keep the concept of 'Swachh Bharat' alive. He advised that maintaining the hygiene of the town is not the sole responsibility of the panchayat; rather, the town can only be kept clean permanently if traders, the public, and customers join hands. Upon receiving the dustbins, the panchayat development officer expressed that the panchayat’s responsibility in maintaining village hygiene has now increased further.

The campaign was led by SMYM president Thomas Vayayil and youth leaders including Abin, Dinu, Naveen, Disha, Sanusha, Archana, Alina Thomas, Shaan, Jaison, and Joel. Rajesh, Johnson, Joy, Reji Kolangarat, and other prominent members of the Church Pastoral Council were present. Several entrepreneurs and local institutions, including Nelyady Syrian Catholic Co-operative Bank, Jinoy (Riya Rubbers), and Seagull Traders, supported this community-oriented initiative through financial assistance.