Chandigarh:
The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, today held its Swachhata Awards ceremony on Gandhi Jayanti, observed as Swachh Bharat Diwas. The ceremony marked the close of the Institute’s Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 campaign. Prof. Sanjay Jain, Dean (Academic), was the Chief Guest and Prof. Ashok Kumar, Medical Superintendent, was the Guest of Honour.
The campaign was conducted in line with the national Swachhata Hi Seva initiative of the Government of India. It saw wide participation from doctors, nursing and paramedical staff, sanitation attendants, hospital attendants, supervisors and sanitation inspectors, along with students, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and school children.
Campaign highlights
The campaign opened on 24 September with a workshop on solid waste management. On 25 September, the Institute held a Janbhagidari programme with local RWAs to extend the message beyond the hospital campus.
The following days combined awareness with participation:
- Green and active campus: a plantation drive with the Horticulture Department and “Sports for Swachhata” zero-waste sporting competitions (27 September).
- Arts and expression: street plays (nukkad nataks), a singing competition, slogan writing, poster making, rangoli and dance competitions on the theme of cleanliness.
- Swachhata Ki Paathshala: school cleanliness and shramdaan, with IEC material placed at key points (29 September).
- Swachhata Se Samriddhi: “Kabaad Se Jugaad / Kabaad Se Kala” turned waste into useful and artistic objects (30 September).
- Children in care: Swachhata activities with children admitted in the Advanced Pediatric Centre (APC).
Caring for those who keep the Institute clean
SafaiMitra Suraksha health check-ups were held on 30 September and 1 October for sanitation workers. On 1 October, staff took the Swachhata Pledge and joined “Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath” shramdaan and plogging drives. SafaiMitras were also briefed on the welfare benefits available to them.
Swachhata Awards ceremony, 2 October
The ceremony opened with a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary. Dr. Vijay Tadia, Officer Incharge, Sanitation, Department of Hospital Administration, presented an overview of the campaign’s activities.
Winners of the campaign competitions received
certificates and awards. Dr Jitendra Sahu
from Paediatric department and Dr Rajeev Chauhan, Additional Medical Supt., Advanced Neurosciences Centre were the judges and were felicitated with planters. Sanitation attendants, hospital attendants and supervisors were honoured with Swachhata Awards as SafaiMitras and Swachhagrahis for keeping the hospital clean, safe and orderly every day.
What the Institute leadership said
Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER, said, “Cleanliness is the first line of defence in any hospital. Every patient who walks into PGIMER deserves a safe, clean and dignified environment. This campaign showed that swachhata is not one department’s job but a shared commitment of every doctor, nurse, student, worker and visitor. Our SafaiMitras are true Karamyogi’s and backbone of this effort, and honouring them today is honouring the spirit of Swachh Bharat.”
Prof. Sanjay Jain, Dean (Academic), PGIMER, addressing the gathering as Chief Guest, said, “Gandhiji taught us that cleanliness is a matter of discipline and dignity, not just of surroundings. Our residents, nurses and students will shape healthcare for decades. When they run plogging drives, plant trees and teach school children about waste, they learn that public health begins well before the clinic. Today’s winners show how creativity can carry that message further than any circular.”
Prof. Ashok Kumar, Medical Superintendent, PGIMER, speaking as Guest of Honour, said, “A hospital of PGIMER’s scale generates waste every hour of every day, and managing it safely is central to infection control and patient safety. Our sanitation attendants, hospital attendants and supervisors do this work quietly, behind the scenes. Today’s awards and the health check-ups for our Safai Mitras are our way of saying that their work is seen and valued.”
