BPCL organises Swachhata Pakhwada Campaign Across Kerala

Inaugurated by Shri Suresh Gopi, Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Tourism

Bengaluru, July 08, 2024: Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a ‘Maharatna’ and a Fortune Global 500 Company, organised the Swachhata Pakhwada Campaign across the State of Kerala, over a span of three days from 4th to 6th July 2024, to promote cleanliness and sustainable living nationwide.

Swachhata Pakhwada is being celebrated across the country to create awareness among individuals, communities, and organizations about the importance of maintaining cleanliness in our surroundings. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), under Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Govt. India, is organizing various programmes such as Swachhta Pledge, plantation drives, Distribution of Hygiene kits, the deployment of a Swachhata Rath, Cleanliness drives, Competitions for students, awareness programme, Cyclothon, Walkathon, distributions of seed balls/tree saplings, etc.

The campaign was inaugurated by Shri Suresh Gopi, Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas and Tourism on 4th July, kick starting with the gesture of planting a tree sapling, amongst the students of Sree Sarada Sainik School in Kalady, Ernakulam district.

Shri Suresh Gopi, Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, and Ministry of Tourism said, “Our Hon’ble Prime Minister envisions a nation where cleanliness and sustainability are part of our daily lives. This campaign is not just about cleaning our surroundings, but about adopting a way of life that Mahatma Gandhi believed in. Cleanliness and sanitation are essential for a healthy life, and this is the very spirit of our celebration.”

Shri Raman Malik, General Manager, Admin Services, Facilities & CSR, said, “BPCL is dedicated to making India green and clean in line with the Government of India’s Swachhata Pakhwada initiative. Since its inception, BPCL has undertaken numerous activities to transform Swachhata Pakhwada into a ‘Jan Andolan’ (people’s movement). Last year alone, over 28,000 activities were conducted, including cleanliness drives, Swachhata pledges, and the distribution of hygiene and nutrition kits to sanitation workers.

This year, Hon’ble Minister of State for Petroleum & Natural Gas, Shri Suresh Gopi, graced the occasion with his presence and participated wholeheartedly, inspiring the spirit of cleanliness and hygiene among the children, teaching staff, and the BPCL family. Shri Gopi praised BPCL’s tremendous efforts in making India a cleaner and greener nation.”

BPCL continued the campaign on the 5th July, 2024 at St. Antony’s Higher Secondary School, Ammadam, Thrissur and concluded on 6th July 2024 at Silver Hills Public School, Kozhikode . Shri Suresh Gopi, the Chief Guest, led the Swachhta Pledge, distributed seed balls and saplings to approx 500 students, and handed out hygiene kits to housekeeping staff.

The inaugural session included a Pooja Dance and a skit based on the famous poem ‘Oru thai Nadam’ by Malayalam Poetess Sugatha Kumari. The poem’s message of sowing seeds for a better tomorrow was translated into action as Shri Suresh Gopi distributed seed balls to children, an innovative initiative by BPCL to sow 2 lakh seed balls nationwide.

As a leading organization, BPCL is committed to social responsibility and community betterment. The Swachhata Pakhwada Campaign highlights BPCL’s dedication to maximizing positive impacts and promoting inclusive growth, ensuring the sustainability of its business while fostering a cleaner and healthier environment for all.