Cricketer Suresh Raina is Ghaziabad’s new face for cleanliness initiatives

Officials of the corporation and SBM awarded Raina with a certificate on Sunday and sought his help in promoting cleanliness initiatives in the city.

The Ghaziabad municipal corporation on Sunday roped in cricketer Suresh Raina as the brand ambassador for its cleanliness initiatives, undertaken as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), for the city. Raina is already one of the brand ambassadors for SBM.

The cricketer’s family is originally from small-town of Murad Nagar in Ghaziabad and later shifted to Raj Nagar. (Umesh Joshi/HT Photo)

Officials of the corporation and SBM awarded Raina with a certificate on Sunday and sought his help in promoting cleanliness initiatives in the city.

“I congratulate the municipal corporation officials who have initiated a series of steps and also work for long hours to bring cleanliness to the city. It is also our duty to keep our surroundings clean. I am a local of Ghaziabad as well and people here have always showered me with their blessings. I am sure our combined efforts will help bring cleanliness to the city,” Raina said.

The cricketer’s family is originally from small-town of Murad Nagar in Ghaziabad and later shifted to Raj Nagar.

Recently, the corporation roped in light and heavy vehicles for its door-to-door garbage collection initiative and has also initiated night sweeping activities in 20 major markets across the city.

“The work has progressed leaps and bounds. I remember when the city ranked 68 of 73 cities that competed in 2016 ‘Swachh Survekshan’ and also ranked a lowly 351 of 434 cities that competed in 2017. Cleanliness initiatives have progressed and been expedited here,” said Vinod Kumar Jindal, joint secretary of SBM, who is also serving as the national mission director.

He said that of 4,041 urban local bodies in the country, Ghaziabad is among the 1,800 that have been declared open defecation-free.

“The concept of citizen engagement and implementation are two major components that can bring a positive change. Suresh Raina is already the brand ambassador for the Mission and now, he will also help out his city alongside the Ghaziabad municipal corporation,” Jindal said.

Officials said the corporation will be taking Raina’s help in carrying out campaigns, rallies and other cleanliness initiatives which will help the city improve its Swachh ranking in the assessment slotted for January 2018.