– An article written by Shivani Gadre
In a resounding victory, Surat clinched the first position in the Swachh Survey 2023, a testament to the relentless efforts of the Surat Municipal Corporation. The competition was stiff, with Surat and Indore jointly bagging the top spot. Surat, aiming for smart and pristine surroundings, had propagated the message of “Green Surat, Clean Surat” throughout the city. While Surat secured the second position in the previous cleanliness rankings, this year’s endeavors propelled it to the numero uno spot. The Mayor proudly accepted the certificate and award from the President.
Surat Municipal Corporation’s commitment to cleanliness has been evident in various initiatives. The city employs sweeper machines for road cleaning, focusing particularly on busy areas like the textile and diamond markets. The recognition of Surat as the cleanest city underscores the impact of these efforts, prompting widespread appreciation. The celebration was marked by a unique gesture of honoring the cleaning staff by salting their mouths, symbolizing their contribution to the city’s cleanliness.
The elation echoed beyond Surat’s borders, drawing commendation from CR Patil, the BJP president. He termed the achievement as a historic day for Surat and Gujarat. Patil highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s longstanding emphasis on cleanliness, tracing back to his tenure as Gujarat’s Chief Minister. Notably, the city had faced severe cleanliness issues in the past. Patil attributed the current success to the Prime Minister’s recent call for a week-long cleanliness drive during the Diamond Bourse launch in Surat. The call to action has borne fruit with Surat proudly securing the top position with a seven-star rating for the first time.
Expressing joy and pride, CR Patil urged collective efforts to sustain Surat’s cleanliness legacy. He acknowledged the significant role played by school students in contributing to the city’s cleanliness drive. As Surat revels in its newfound status, the challenge now lies in maintaining and elevating the city’s cleanliness standards. The victory not only crowns Surat as the cleanest but also underscores the transformative power of community-wide commitment to cleanliness.
