The University Grants Commission (UGC) has advised all colleges and universities to observe Swachhta Pakhwada from September 1 to 15. The UGC has written a letter to the vice chancellors and principals of all colleges and universities about the guidelines mentioned by Jal Shakti and Drinking Water and Sanitisation.
According to the guidelines, universities are required to host a webinar on Swachhta Pakhwada, which is observed across the country beginning September 1. All government departments, including educational institutions, have been asked to actively participate. The guidelines also required universities to post Swachhta or cleanliness messages on their websites.
Among the other guidelines issued by UGC are to reduce the use of single-use plastic and discourage the use of plastic in offices, organise online competitions, develop information, education, and communication dissemination on better hygiene related to Covid-19, and use social media to raise awareness.
Seventh anniversary of Swachhta Pakhwada
Since April 2016, Swachhta Pakhwada has been observed. This year marks the seventh anniversary of the event. All cleanliness-related activities take place during this time. People are made aware of the importance of cleanliness. The UGC letter also stated that the report of Swachhta Pakhwada activities should be sent to the email address ebsmbhrd19@gmail.com and uploaded to the Union Ministry of
Drinking Water and Sanitation’s Swachhta Review Portal.
Previously, the UGC allowed universities and higher education institutions to hire distinguished experts as faculty members under a new category that does not require formal academic qualification or publication. Experts from fields such as engineering, science, media, literature, entrepreneurship, social sciences, fine arts, civil services, and the armed forces, among others, will be eligible to be hired, according to the approved draught guidelines of Professors of Practice.
