A one-day Panel discussion/Talk Show on ‘Impact of Cleanliness on Social, Mental, Environment and Physical Aspects of Life’ under UGC`s Swachtta Pakhwada program was held at University of Kashmir on Thursday.

The program was organized by Department of Students Welfare (DSW) and was held at KU`s Ibn-i-khalidoun auditorium.

In his presidential remarks Vice Chancellor University of Kashmir Prof Talat Ahmad while maintaining that educational institutions in general and students in particular have a pivotal role to play in the Swachtta Mission said that we should not wait for these special days and occasions and continue to hold/organise such discussions and drives on cleanliness throughout the year to keep our environs clean.

Prof Talat said “Educational institutes and students should take a leadership role for community led sanitation initiatives. It has been realized that lack of sanitation and hygiene has a far reaching impact on our health and safety, dignity, education, livelihood and on nature as well.”

In his inaugural address Registrar KU Dr Nisar A Mir said “We are fortunate to such a campus which is considered as one of the most beautiful campuses across the world and we always make efforts to keep the environs clean. Infact studies have shown that if we keep the environment clean for the employees and staff it always has a positive impact on their output and work productivity increases.”

While welcoming the experts and panelists on the occasion Dean Students Welfare KU Prof Raies Qadri said that main objective of the Swachtta Pakhwada has been ‘cleanliness, inside out’ – to sensitize and ensure good health and hygiene by providing awareness on clean and safe environment, personal health, hygiene and good practices including hand washing on cleanliness, in order to create safe, healthy, clean and green environment.

During the panel discussion /Talk Show Justice (Rtd) Bashir A Kirmani talked about the social aspect and impact of cleanliness on our social lives whileas Dr M Muzaffar Khan Director Drug De-addiction centre Kashmir deliberated upon the mental aspect of cleanliness in the first technical session.

In the second technical session Prof Shakeel A Romshoo provided an insight into the environmental aspect of cleanliness whileas Prof Ashraf Ganaie talked about the Physical Aspect of cleanliness.

Zahid Jeelani Junior Coordinator DSW KU conducted the proceedings of the program and also presented vote of thanks of the occasion.