Mangaluru: NITK Surathkal observed Mahatma Gandhiji’s 150th birth anniversary by organising a “Swachhata Hee Seva” movement at the campus on Wednesday, October 2.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had banned single-use plastics in the country in order to make India plastic-free.

The Swachhata Hee Seva campaign was launched by NITK Deputy Director VS Annanthanarayana. Addressing the gathering, he said, “This campaign involves plastic-waste awareness and management. Today, the entire nation is participating in ‘shramadhan’. Let’s collect the plastic waste, and segregate it.”

Annanthanarayana also urged the attendees to spend their time doing shramadhan and keep their surroundings clean.

In his address, NITK Director K Ummaheshwar Rao emphasised the importance of the event and spoke about the responsibilities of students to keep the campus clean. He also urged the gathering to participate in sports and games on a regular basis in order to keep the body fit and keep the Fit India Movement alive.

The Director administered a pledge to the gathering, after which the students and faculty members went for a round of Plogging (Plogging is a combination of jogging while picking up litter) around the campus.

College deans, faculty members, non-faculty members, and students from all departments participated in the programme.