DIMAPUR: Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) observed Swachh Bharat Diwas and marked the culmination of Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2026 at the Office of the Chief Engineer, PHED, Kohima, on October 2.
The programme was graced by minister for Public Health Engineering and Cooperation, Jacob Zhimomi and attended by the secretary PHED, senior officers, officials from the Directorate and field divisions, and representatives from other departments and organisations. The campaign, held from September 17 to October 2 under the theme “Swachhata Mein Sahbhag; Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat,” featured diverse activities across PHED divisions focusing on community participation, cleanliness, waste management, youth engagement and welfare of sanitation workers.
Notable initiatives included waste to wealth activities in Dimapur Rural, where discarded materials were transformed into useful products such as plastic bricks, recycled tyre furniture, brooms, flower beds and cloth bags. A discarded motorcycle was also converted into a waste collection vehicle. In Tuensang, medical camps were organised for Safai Mitras and sanitation workers, while in Medziphema, students participated in cleanliness drives, learnt to make bamboo dustbins and were encouraged to become Swachhata Ambassadors.
Innovative community participation was also witnessed in Noklak, where a community tug of war promoted teamwork and awareness on four way waste segregation, and in Phek, where a cleanliness and awareness drive was conducted at Glory Peak to promote clean and sustainable tourism.
As part of the culmination programme, awards were presented under two categories- Swachhata Champion and Best Performing ODF Plus Model Village.
Congratulating the awardees, Jacob Zhimomi said sanitation was a lifelong priority requiring continuous strengthening and renewed efforts to ensure benefits reach even the remotest villages. He emphasised behavioural change and a shift in mindset as essential for achieving the SDGs.
The programme concluded with appreciation to PHED divisions, Village Councils, WATSAN committees, sanitation workers, schools, youth groups and citizens for their contributions to SHS 2026. The event was followed by a tree plantation and cleanliness drive under “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam.”
