SWACH RAIL ABHIYAAN AT HARIDWAR STATION
PARTICIPATION OF SPIRITUAL AND CHARITABLE FOUNDATION MARKS MORE THAN AN OVERTURE TO A LONG-DRAWN MOVEMENT FOR CLEANER STATIONS
Public Service organizations can achieve more by example than by regulation. The Swacch Rail Swacch Bharat Abhiyaan(Mission) is one of the proven initiatives testifying this fact. Public participation on the solemn occasions of Gandhi Jayanti and Rashtriya Ekta Diwas through Shramddan on Indian Railways is one of the recent mass movements with the potential to transform the progress of the country and proved that change is possible when there is unity of purpose.
By co-opting Spiritual/ Charitable institutions in the task of cleanliness, the Railway has been able to change the narrative on public governance and scored positive records on communities-led initiative. Spiritual/ Charitable institutions have always been major influencers of public opinion and have helped groom disciplined and organised societies. By lending support in cleanliness and aesthetics, voluntary organizations have taken the Mission forward alongwith the Indian Railways consistent endeavors in this direction. Thereafter, during several other drive periods, these organizations have proved their willingness was more than an overture. The case of participation of voluntary organization in tandem with railway’s own focused initiatives at Haridwar station on Moradabad Division of Northern Railway is one of the success stories under the Swacch Bharat Swacch Rail Abhiyaan.
Haridwar is one of the holiest cities in North India place where people from across the India visit for pilgrimage and to take a holy dip into the holy river Ganges. The Hindus devoutly believe that a dip in the Ganges can cleanse them of their sons. Haridwar city is an ancient and it is one of the most sacred cities in India. The diverse nature of the Hindu religion has attracted foreign visitors from all around the world. Foreigners always attracted to Haridwar because here they can closely experience India's complex culture, various Hindu rituals and the ancient civilization. Haridwar is also one of the four places where Kumbh Mela occurs after rotation of every twelve Years and Ardh Kumbh after every six years. It is said that drops of Amrit (Elixir) fell in to the Brahmkund of Har-Ki-Pauri, therefore considered that a dip in the Brahmakund. Lakhs of pilgrims visit the city each day and the station remains a crowded spot with pilgrims teeming round the clock.
Haridwar station has 9 platforms dealing 45 passenger/express halting trains besides 31 passenger/express trains originating/ terminating each day. As the station deals with thousands of rail travelers each day, maintenance of the station and its cleanliness becomes a vital necessity each day. The station is nominated under Own Your Station scheme and intensive cleaning is ensured by Officers during their inspections. Nukkad Nataks were organized at several places to bring awareness amongst the rail users regarding cleanliness and safety related issues at railway stations, level crossing gates and in city area. Sant Nirankari Mandal and Patanjali Yog Peeth, charity Organisations like Shantikunj at Haridwar are some of the leading spiritual organisations voluntarily lending their support to the Mission. During the Rail Yatri Upbhokta Pakhwada, Gandhi Jayanti and Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, prominent public representatives participated through Shramdaan. Due to the consistent endeavours of the Railway and the charitable institutions etc a palpable improvement in cleanliness has been made. This has been well-appreciated by pilgrims, other rail travellers and reported in the media and on social media platforms.
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