Cleanliness drive conducted at Supermarket

DIMAPUR, SEP 18 (NPN): More than 120 members of Lhomithi Baptist Church took part in a cleanliness drive at the Supermarket area on Friday morning, beginning at 5 a.m. The initiative, organised by the Lhomithi Church Ministry in coordination with its departments-Lhomithi Baptist Akukuhou, Lhomithi Colony Council, Sümi Totimi Loka, Lhomithi Youth Front and Lhomithi Kiphimi Kuqhakulu-aimed at creating awareness on cleanliness and encouraging the community to translate faith into practical action.
Speaking to Nagaland Post, pastor Toluho Chishi said the drive was intended to demonstrate that faith should be reflected through practical service to society. Referring to the saying “work is worship,” he said the effort was undertaken not merely for the church members but for the benefit of the wider public.
The pastor recalled that three years ago he had attempted to mobilise churches across Dimapur for a larger initiative, but the effort did not materialise. The church therefore decided to begin locally with its own congregation. The Supermarket stretch was chosen after members identified several unclean spots requiring attention.
During the drive, members cleared dense weeds and overgrown vegetation along the roadside and drainage channel. Broken slabs and open drains were also observed, posing risks to pedestrians. Pastor Chishi said while the church could not clean every corner of the town, it wanted to contribute wherever possible. He added that the response was encouraging, with the participation of more than 100 members. He also highlighted the need for intervention by authorities to repair damaged portions of the area, pointing to potholes, broken pathways and blocked drains. Proper maintenance, he said, would benefit the public. The church plans to organise similar drives once or twice a year, with separate initiatives by men, women or youth if large mobilisation was not possible.
Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) workers assisted in transporting and disposing of waste. DMC chairman Hukheto Yepthomi, present during the drive, appreciated the church members for their participation. He said maintaining a clean town was not the responsibility of the municipal body alone but required cooperation from citizens.
A member participating in the drive also remarked, “We need to stop blaming the government alone. Our dirt is our responsibility too.” The member stressed that cleanliness should not be viewed solely as the government’s duty, but as a shared responsibility requiring proper waste disposal and avoidance of littering.
Yepthomi added that community led initiatives demonstrated the importance of citizens taking responsibility for their surroundings and complementing municipal efforts. He encouraged other organisations and individuals to similarly contribute towards keeping Dimapur clean.