Dharmendra Pradhan Urges Sambalpur Residents to Join October 10 Cleanliness Drive
Sambalpur, Oct. 5 (UDN): Sambalpur MP and former Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has appealed to residents across the district to participate in a mass cleanliness campaign scheduled for October 10 under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan.
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In a video message shared on social media, Pradhan called upon citizens, youth, women, elected representatives and members of various organisations to come together and clean their villages, hamlets, wards, neighbourhoods and public spaces.
Call for Cleanliness to Become a Mass Movement
Pradhan urged people to transform the campaign into a sustained public movement aimed at making Sambalpur cleaner, healthier and more attractive.
He said cleanliness should not be viewed merely as a household responsibility but as a broader social value reflected in people’s everyday lives and conduct.
Cultural Traditions Linked to Cleanliness
Highlighting Odisha’s cultural traditions, Pradhan said cleanliness and purity have long held an important place in the state’s social and religious practices.
Referring to the Lakshmi Purana, he said the tradition associates cleanliness with the presence of Goddess Lakshmi and noted that religious rituals in Odia households traditionally place strong emphasis on cleanliness and purity.
According to Pradhan, the values associated with cleanliness have been passed down through generations and carry both social and spiritual significance.
Invokes Gandhi, Modi’s Swachhata Message
Pradhan also recalled Mahatma Gandhi’s emphasis on sanitation and cleanliness, saying Gandhi viewed cleanliness as essential to building a healthy society and improving quality of life.
He also referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Swachhata Hi Seva” message, stressing that maintaining clean surroundings is a form of service to society, the nation and future generations.
Sambalpur’s Heritage in Focus
Describing Sambalpur as an important centre of Odia literature, culture, art and tradition, Pradhan said maintaining the cleanliness and beauty of the region was a collective responsibility.
He urged citizens to actively participate in the October 10 campaign and contribute towards creating cleaner public spaces across the district.
The cleanliness drive is expected to cover villages, urban wards, localities and other public places as part of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan.