Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Dec 16: The sanitation workers and other staff of MCC and Antony Waste Management, who strive to keep the city clean by collecting the garbage every day, were felicitated to admire their work as well to make the public know the importance of what they are doing in making the city look clean and beautiful.

This programme recognizing the effort of the civic workers of Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) was organized jointly by RAA (Roshni Alumni Association) and Uxcel at the auditorium of Milagres PU College in the city.

Speaking on the occasion, DC of DK district, Sindhu B Rupesh said, "Workers of the city corporation are the ones who really keep this city beautiful and also clean and prevent spreading of any contagious diseases. They are role in keeping health of the citizens dwelling in the city is of prime importance."

"Just imagine what would happen if these people, who do not care about their own health while dealing with the filth that the city generates, stop working for even a day or two. The administration of the city and the district is indebted to these people and would appreciate their efforts and dedication in future too," added Sindhu B Rupesh.

Replying to the honour bestowed, one of the civic worker of MCC, Monappa said, "All the sanitation workers who work for MCC are really grateful that our efforts, though we do menial jobs, is recognized by the society. To be very frank, around 1,500 workers are required to keep the city of Mangaluru clean. However, at present, only 750, means half the people are working relentlessly to get the garbage collected and dumped in assigned area. Out of the 750, only 240 are permanent with MCC and rest are outsourced with Antony Waste Management, who has a contract with MCC for keeping the city clean. We take medical tests once in every three months as our work contains lots of health hazards."

The programme was presided over by Shanady Ajith Kumar Hegde, commissioner of MCC. In his address, he said, "Free health check-up camps are undertaken by MCC. The civic workers have to make the best utilization of this facility offered by the administration. In this programme, there are only 100 civic workers present, though the organizers had invited nearly 500 of them. The administration of MCC will reach each and every sanitation worker working for MCC and see that they receive the felicitation."

The civic workers were appraised about the facilities available for them under EPF (Employees' Provident Fund) by Ashok Kumar, officer of EPF. He also requested the workers to contact the office for more details on the benefits the government is offering to them.

A yoga demonstration was also presented to the workers by Devika Purushotham, who is an expert in Yoga and meditation. She asked the civic employees to take very good care of their health as they are doing a hazardous work.

The sanitation workers were also addressed on the occasion by Dr Ravishankar Rao, English professor of Mangalore University, Dr G Santhosh Kumar, deputy commissioner of administration in MCC, Shabarinath and Madhu S Manohar, both environment engineers.

A different kind of welcome was accosted to the civic workers by Prof Maria C D'Costa, director of Uxcel, who sang a song on cleanliness and also made the civic workers sing the same along with her. The vote of thanks was rendered by Dheeraj Shetty, president of RAA.