Baramulla, October 3, 2025 – In a resounding commitment to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Swachh Bharat, the Rural Development Department (RDD) Baramulla has organized a series of Special Gram Sabhas across the district today, coinciding with Swachh Bharat Diwas. This initiative forms a pivotal part of the ongoing fortnightly Sewa Prav (also known as Seva Parv) campaign, which emphasizes selfless service, community empowerment, and environmental sustainability.The Special Gram Sabhas, held in villages from the snow-capped hills of Uri to the lush valleys of Sopore, brought together Panchayat members, local leaders, women self-help groups, youth volunteers, and residents for interactive discussions on sanitation, waste management, and sustainable development. These village assemblies, a cornerstone of India’s Panchayati Raj system, served as platforms to review progress under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G), identify gaps in infrastructure like individual household latrines and solid waste management units, and pledge collective action for an Open Defecation Free (ODF) Plus future.
A Fortnight of Dedicated Service
Launched on September 17, 2025, the Sewa Prav campaign aligns seamlessly with the nationwide Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) drive, running until October 2 under the theme Swachhotsav – a festival of cleanliness. In Baramulla, RDD officials, led by District Development Commissioner (DDC) Bhupinder Kumar, coordinated over 250 Gram Sabhas to foster grassroots participation. Key activities included:
- Cleanliness Pledges and Awareness Drives: Participants took the Swachhta Shapath, vowing to eliminate single-use plastics, promote segregation at source, and maintain public spaces. NCC and NSS volunteers from local colleges joined hands in Prabhat Pheris (morning processions) to spread the message of Swachh Bharat.
- Inaugurations and Infrastructure Boost: Several SBM-G projects were inaugurated, including community bio-gas plants and greywater management systems, aimed at enhancing rural sanitation. Awards were distributed to Safai Mitras (sanitation workers) and best-performing Panchayats for their exemplary efforts in maintaining ODF status.
- Community Dialogues on Sustainability: Discussions highlighted the integration of Sewa Prav with schemes like MGNREGA for creating livelihood opportunities in waste-to-wealth enterprises, such as vermi-composting units. Elders and women were honored, underscoring the campaign’s focus on inclusive Gram Swaraj.
DDC Bhupinder Kumar, addressing a packed Gram Sabha in the historic town of Pattan, stated, ” Sewa Prav is more than a campaign; it’s a call to action for every citizen to contribute to a cleaner, healthier Baramulla. Through these Special Gram Sabhas, we are not just observing Swachh Bharat Diwas but building a legacy of service and sustainability.
“Broader Impact and National Resonance
This district-wide effort echoes the national fervor surrounding Swachh Bharat Diwas, marking the 11th anniversary of the mission’s launch in 2014. Secretary RDD, Mohammad Aijaz Asad, who recently reviewed SBM-G progress in Jammu and Kashmir, issued directives for accelerated project completion, emphasizing monitoring through the SNA-Sparsh portal. In Baramulla alone, over 95% of households are now connected to sanitation facilities, with the campaign targeting the remaining ODF Plus models like fecal sludge management.Local youth activist, Aisha Bhat from Tangmarg, shared, “These Gram Sabhas have empowered us to voice concerns on plastic pollution in our rivers. Sewa Prav truly embodies Gandhi’s ideals of cleanliness as a form of devotion.”As the sun sets on Swachh Bharat Diwas, Baramulla stands as a beacon of community-led transformation, proving that Sewa – selfless service – is the key to a Swachh and self-reliant India. The RDD Baramulla urges continued vigilance, with follow-up activities planned under Swachhata Green Leaf Rating to sustain the momentum.
