In an example of how a little public participation goes a long way in instilling civic sense, six truckloads of garbage was collected by hundreds of people, including safai karamcharis and school children.
The first day of the 'Clean Delhi NCR Drive’ saw a positive response from Delhi
residents, with several of them coming out on to the streets to contribute to the clean-up exercise.
The week-long programme began on Monday and was conducted between Chandni Chowk and Jama Masjid. Simultaneous cleaning exercises also started in Dwarka and various parts of west Delhi.
The cleaning drive, organised by Art of Living, ahead of the Commonwealth Games, will be held at 41 sites and will cover tourist spots, monuments, markets (Khan Market, Dilli Haat, Nehru Place) and the New Delhi and Nizamuddin railway stations, among other places.
The foundation will also be installing 200 dustbins, for collection of bio-degradable and non bio-degradable waste, at the 41 sites.
Delhi Mayor, Prithviraj Sawhney, who was present at Chandni Chowk to lend his support to the drive said, "This drive will awaken the public. We support it totally," he said.
As a result of the drive, the entire stretch from Town Hall to the Gauri Shankar temple was cleaned up. Also, two truckloads and 25 handcarts of garbage were removed.
The drive is being conducted under the 'Meri Dilli Meri Yamuna' campaign, culminating in the 'Clean Delhi Day' celebrations, which will be held on Sept 11.