AHMEDABAD (India CSR): Ambuja Cements, part of the diversified Adani Portfolio, is making significant strides in promoting cleanliness and hygiene across India’s rural communities. Through its alignment with the government’s ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign, the company is fostering long-term behavioral changes by engaging local communities in activities that emphasize sustainable waste management and sanitation.
Cleaning Up Rural India
Transformative Efforts in Farakka, West Bengal
In the Farakka block of West Bengal, Ambuja Cements organized a large-scale sanitation drive involving community members. Key activities included cleaning public areas, spreading bleaching powder to improve hygiene, and removing approximately 2.5–3 quintals of garbage from identified black spots. The campaign not only addressed immediate cleanliness needs but also encouraged sustained hygiene practices in the area.
Cleanliness Rally in Khambada, Maharashtra
In Khambada, Warora, Maharashtra, a community-led Cleanliness Rally was held, where villagers took a cleanliness oath. This initiative culminated in a comprehensive village-wide cleaning activity, instilling the importance of hygiene and collective responsibility.
Promoting Awareness and Creativity
Darlaghat, Himachal Pradesh
In Darlaghat, Himachal Pradesh, Ambuja Cements collaborated with PRI members, school leaders, and health volunteers to conduct a sanitation drive and a painting competition titled ‘Swachhata Hi Seva, Swabhav Swachhata, Sanskar Swachhata.’ These activities aimed to foster creative engagement while promoting the campaign’s core values.
Bathinda, Punjab
In Punjab’s Bathinda district, Ambuja Cements focused on educational awareness by organizing poster competitions in four government schools and cleanliness drives in villages including Banwala Hanwanta, Behak Khas, and Asafwala. These efforts were part of the company’s Human Resource Development Program (HRDP), aiming to enhance community involvement in sanitation.
| Activity | Details |
|---|---|
| Campaign | Swachhata Hi Seva |
| Key Locations | Farakka (WB), Khambada (MH), Darlaghat (HP), Bathinda (PB), Raigarh (CG), Sankrail (WB), Chandrapur (MH) |
| Engagement | Community rallies, sanitation drives, awareness programs |
| Beneficiaries | Villagers, schoolchildren, women’s groups |
| Key Impact | Sustainable waste management, improved hygiene practices |
Building Sustainable Practices
Raigarh, Chhattisgarh
In Raigarh, Chhattisgarh, sanitation awareness programs were conducted with the Gram Panchayat, farmers, women’s groups, and schools. Activities included plastic collection drives and painting competitions, fostering an understanding of sustainable waste management among participants.
Sankrail and Chandrapur
In Sankrail, SHG women and adolescents spearheaded a Swachhata Abhiyan, targeting schools and village premises with cleaning activities, awareness rallies, and garbage collection. Similarly, in Chandrapur, Ambuja Cements collaborated with Gram Panchayats and schools to conduct plastic collection drives and sanitation programs.
Empowering Communities
A Unified Vision for Cleanliness
Ambuja Cements’ efforts under the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign are a testament to the company’s commitment to uplifting rural communities. As highlighted by a company representative, “Our goal is to inspire collective action and long-term change. Through these initiatives, we aim to enhance public health, foster hygiene, and promote sustainable waste management practices.”
(India CSR)
