Kankanady Old Road cleaned during Ramakrishna Mission’s monthly cleanliness drive

Mangaluru Ramakrishna Mission through its volunteers undertook Swachh Mangaluru Abhiyan for the month of February in Kankanady area, where the flanks of Kankanady Old Road were cleaned and black spots were addressed.

Fr. Muller Medical College Hospital Administrative Officer Fr. George Jeevan Sequera and Dakshina Kannada District Additional Superintendent of Police Anil Kumar S. Bhoomaraddi flagged off ther drive.

Addressing the gathering, Fr. Sequera emphasised that even educated people often forget simple responsibilities like avoiding plastic. He noted that plastic reduction is rarely practised seriously and that continuous awareness among all sections of society is essential. He appreciated the Mission for taking up the initiative and sustaining public consciousness towards cleanliness.

Mr. Bhoomaraddi described “Swachh Mangaluru” as a beautiful and value-based concept rooted in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (one world, one family). He drew a parallel between keeping one’s home clean and maintaining the city and said, “Just as we do not litter our homes, we should not litter our city.” He reminded that nature gives everything to humanity and questioned why one hesitates to give back to Mother Nature.

Volunteers clean a shoulder drain of Old Kankanady Road during the Swachh Mangaluru Abhiyan of Ramakrishna Mission in Mangaluru on February 1, 2026.
| Photo Credit:
H S MANJUNATH

As part of the Shramadan activities, Dhanesh Kumar, Principal of Nitte Institute of Physiotherapy, along with Jayesh Chandran, Rakesh Krishna, Arun Varghese, Socrate and their students, cleaned the upper road connecting Father Muller’s Hospital. Large quantities of plastic waste were removed, overgrown plants were trimmed, and unauthorised banners were cleared.

Simultaneously, another team of senior volunteers — K.P. Uday, Taranath Alva, Rajivi Chandrashekara, Vasanthi Nayak, Babita Shetty, Naithik Shetty, Kamalaksha Pai, Balakrishna Bhat, Gopinath Rao, Anirudh Naik, Prakesh, Shreeharsha, and Bhavith Salian — carried out an intensive cleanliness drive on the lower road connecting Bhagwan Mahaveer (Pumpwell) Circle.

The team removed large quantities of plastic waste, cleared fallen tree branches, and entered the drainage lines to extract plastics accumulated over time. Students of St. Joseph Engineering College joined hands with them.

Volunteers clear huge volumes of garbage on the flanks of Kankanady Old Road during the Swachh Mangaluru Abhiyan of Ramakrishna Mission, in Mangaluru on February 1.
| Photo Credit:
H S MANJUNATH

Blackspots

In a focused effort to clear blackspots, three major garbage dumpyards on Kankanady Old Road were addressed by senior volunteers Dilraj Alva, Sandeep Garodi, Prakash Garodi, Sachin Shetty, Sauraj Mangaluru, Yogish Karyatadka, Nagesh, and Padmanabha Salin. Through dedicated effort, more than 1,500 kg of waste were recovered. The team also created awareness among nearby apartment residents, motivating them to take ownership of keeping their premises clean.

Ramakrishna Mission has asked public to participate as volunteers in the monthly cleanliness drive.