From 15th September to 02nd October 2023 various cleanliness programs were conducted under the Swachhata Hi Seva-2023 program, in and around NIRM HO and NIRM RO in Bengaluru and Kolar Gold Field respectively and all NIRM employees participated in these programs. The following mega-events were conducted during the occasion of Swachhata Hi Seva-2023:
1. Swachhata Pledge: by the NIRM employees.
2. Public awareness: program by conducting Rally from NIRM office to Kadirnahalli Circle, on Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar Road with demonstrating and conveying the message of the importance of celebration of Swachhata Hi Seva drive on October 1 at 10:00 am by the entire nation altogether was celebrated by National Institute of Rock Mechanics. The Director, Chief guest, Scientists,
Administrative officials and project Scientists participated in this drive. The message was also given for the public participation in this mega event to make “Garbage Free India”.
3. Ek Ghantee, Ek Saath and Ek Tarikh: The scientists and staff of NIRM contributed to the Swachchta Hi Seva 2023 (SHS-2023) Campaign by dedicating about two hours of Shramadan between 10 AM to 12 PM on 01 October 2023 in two (02) identified locations in Karnataka. As part of the event at NIRM (Head Office), Dr. HS Venkatesh, Director, NIRM led a team of NIRM staff (40 members) and about 25 volunteers from the neighbourhood and the team cleaned a 300 m stretch of the Outer Ring Road (Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar Road) between Kadiranahalli Cross towards Sarakki Junction and the entire NIRM/GSI campus (100 x 100 m area). On this occasion, the BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) representative with a team of about 10 also participated and briefed about various types of wastes and their segregation procedures etc. At NIRM (Regd. Office), KGF, Mr. A. Rajan Babu, Principal Scientist and OIC, led a team of 7 NIRM Staff and around 120 volunteers to clean two sites, one site around the NIRM Office premises and another site near the Champion Reefs Railway Station. On this occasion, the councillor of the City Municipality, KGF attended the event and encouraged the cleanliness practices in our habit.
At NIRM (HO), Bengaluru the 65-member team split themselves into five groups and each group took charge of cleaning a particular location. Around one (01) tonne of garbage was collected and the same was segregated into dry and wet categories. The waste collected was finally disposed of through BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) garbage collecting trucks. The name board of NIRM, display boards, and signboards along the road were also cleaned. During the cleanliness drive, the Director, NIRM, and scientists also educated the public on the importance of cleanliness and the need for protection of the environment in the surrounding areas.
At NIRM (RO), Kolar Gold Fields, the 120-member team split themselves into two groups and each group took charge of cleaning one location each. The team cleaned around 1500 m stretch and around two (02) tonne of garbage was collected and the same was segregated into dry and wet category before disposing it through the Municipality garbage collecting vehicle. JCB was pressed into operation to level the road towards the Champion Reefs Railway Station. The name board of NIRM was also cleaned. Both events of NIRM were widely covered through social media, and print media. So far, our Swachchata activities of 01 October have been published in one (01) newspaper (print media) and 60 social media posts (Twitter and Instagram). We are awaiting the publication of our Swachchata activities in another 07-print media. The events (pre and post-photographs/video reels) were uploaded on SwachhtaHiSeva “https://swachhatahiseva.com” portal as per the Govt. instructions.
The salient achievements of today’s events at 02 such sites are enumerated in the table below:
| State | District | Location of Cleanliness Campaign | Area Cleaned (sq. m.) | Number of participants | Activity duration (Hrs) | Total man (Hrs) | Chief Guest |
| Karnataka | Bengaluru Urban | Cleanliness Drive at Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar Road (Kadirenahalli circle to the opposite of GSI main gate NIRM/GSI campus | 1800 10000 | 65 | 2 | 130 | The Health Inspector of BBMP, Bengaluru |
| Karnatak | Kolar | Cleanliness Drive at Gifford’s Shaft to Tenant’s Circle Opposite to Champion Railway station | 10000 8000 | 120 | 2 | 240 | Shri Shashi Ranjan, OSD BGML, Shri Thangaraj Councillor, Smt Shanthi, Councillor Mr. Manigandan from City Municipality, KGF |
| Total | 29800 Sq.M Cleaned | 185 Participants | 4 Activity Hours | 370 Man-Hours |
4. The culminating of the program of Swachhata Hi Seva-2023 with celebration of “Gandhi Jayanti”
The eventwas conducted today at the National Institute of Rock Mechanics, Head office, Bengaluru, and Registered office, KGF. The program was focused on Paying obeisance to Mahatma Gandhiji's portrait. The event was started with an homage to Gandhiji’s portrait by the Director, NIRM, and by all employees at Bengaluru and at the KGF office Homage was offered by the Officer-in-Charge, and staff at NIRM, RO.
After paying homage to our beloved father of the nation, his favorite Bhajan “Vaishnav Jana to” and a documentary on “Gandhi Ek Vichar” were played based on his life and his thoughts/ teachings at both offices. The Director NIRM tribute to Mahatma Gandhiji, and he emphasized that by adopting Gandhiji’s thought and lifestyle all the citizens could live peacefully, happily, and healthy and this was the biggest dream of Bapuji.
The Officer-in-Charge, NIRM RO addressed all the staff about our Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhiji, and shared some thoughts and the lifestyle of the Bapu ji and advised them to adopt in our lifestyle.
As Gandhiji always gave importance to cleanliness, The Director also motivated to all employees to keep our surroundings “Clean and Garbage Free”. He also emphasized making our Institute E-Office gradually. The program was concluded with the National Anthem.
