Swachhata Hi Seva: Students Lead Cleanliness Drive at Mettupalayam Railway Station

Coimbatore: A special cleanliness drive and awareness rally were organised at Mettupalayam Railway Station as part of the nationwide ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ (Cleanliness is Service) campaign observed by Indian Railways in connection with Gandhi Jayanti.

The 2026 edition of the campaign is being conducted from September 17 to October 2 across railway stations throughout the country.

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Students of the National Service Scheme (NSS) of Vijayalakshmi Matriculation Higher Secondary School and students of Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science actively took part in the cleanliness drive and the awareness rally held at the Mettupalayam Railway Station premises.

As part of the awareness campaign, students distributed pamphlets to railway passengers and created awareness about maintaining cleanliness at railway stations and in trains. They also planted saplings in the railway employees' residential area within the station premises.

The awareness rally was flagged off by Prof. Dr.M. Jaikumar, Head, Department of Computer Applications, Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science. The cleanliness drive itself was conducted under the leadership of K. Rajeswari, Principal, Vijayalakshmi Matriculation Higher Secondary School.

The participating students, along with railway officials and employees, took a Swachhata pledge, affirming their commitment to contributing towards cleanliness activities every year. They also created awareness among passengers about avoiding the use of single-use plastic items at railway stations and on trains.

Thirumalayan, Additional Director, Nilgiri Mountain Railway Division, presided over the programme and inaugurated the sapling plantation drive at the railway station premises. The students also sensitised passengers on the importance of waste segregation and the proper disposal and management of biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste.

On behalf of the Railway Protection Force (RPF), the Inspector of Railway Protection Force, Mettupalayam, addressed the gathering and created awareness among passengers about railway passenger safety and security measures.

Through these activities, the students highlighted the importance of cleanliness, responsible waste management and environmental protection among railway passengers and the general public.

As part of the programme, the students also visited the Railway Museum located within the Mettupalayam Railway Station premises.

The programme was coordinated by Poornima, Health Inspector, Mettupalayam Railway Station, on behalf of the Railways, and Prof. Dr.M. Jaikumar, Head, Department of Computer Applications, Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science.

Karthik, Station Manager, Mettupalayam Railway Station, along with railway officials and employees, Uma, Founder, Akshayam Trust, Mettupalayam, Lakshminarasimman, Secretary, Akshayam Trust, Usha of Nerchi Foundation, R. Revathi, Vice-Principal, Vijayalakshmi Matriculation Higher Secondary School, R. Kavitha, NSS Programme Officer, P. Kapilar, Assistant Programme Officer, Prof. Nandakumar, Department of Commerce, Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science, students and members of the public participated in the programme.