The inaugural day for observing the Swacchata Pakhwada 2017 began on a high in the Tapesia Campus of the Assam Don Bosco University. In the inaugural speech, Prof. Basil S. Koikara, Registrar, Assam Don Bosco University appreciated the preparations that have been going on in the Campus to observe the event as per the directives of Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India. He stressed the fact that while we all do our best to keep ourselves clean, keeping our surroundings clean should also be our habit. He implored that all our public spaces should also be kept clean. In this way, there would be clean institutions, clean hearts and clean minds all around in the country. Having said this, Prof. Koikara wished everyone all success in creating and sustaining a clean world beginning with this pakhwada of cleanliness.
Following the inaugural address, Mr. Victor Narzary, Deputy Coordinator for Tapesia Campus, Swacchata Pakhwada 2017, made announcements regarding the activities that have been planned for the Campus Cleaning Drive scheduled for the day. Mr. Narzary requested whole-hearted participation from all the students, faculty and staff of the university to make the event a grand success. The inaugural programme was then concluded with a spiritual moment.
Campus cleaning drive
Faculty and students came out in huge numbers to engage in the campus cleaning drive scheduled for the day from 3:30 pm in the afternoon. The tasks for cleaning the academic blocks and the areas leading to the university were divided among different departments and classes.
The work accomplished during the day has been presented in the following table:
| Academic Block | Department/class | Class rooms/toilets/ open spaces | Activities carried out |
| Level 0 | BA English students and faculty | Class Room No. 005, 006, 016, 017, 018, 025 | Wiped the window panes, dusting of the walls and railings, sweeping and mopping of the floors |
| Level 1 | BA Psychology students and faculty | Class Room No. 106, 107, 108, 109, 111, 112, 113, 114, 116, 117, 118, 119 | Wiped the window panes, dusting of the walls and railings, sweeping and mopping of the floors |
| Level 2 | BA & MA Education students and faculty | Class Room No. 231, 240, Verandahs, Atrium, Ladies toilet, Staff gents toilet, Academic block entrance | Wiped the window panes, dusting of the walls and railings, sweeping and mopping of the floors, cleaning of toilets |
| Level 3 | BA Mass Communication students and faculty | Class Room No. 322, 323, 324, 327, Verandah | Wiped the window panes, dusting of the walls and railings, sweeping and mopping of the floors |
| Level 4 | Students of Master of Social Work (1st Semester) | Library and Computer Lab | Wiped the window panes, dusting of the walls and railings, sweeping and mopping of the floors, dusting of books, cleaning the computer lab |
| Life Sciences Block | Students and faculty of the School of Life Sciences (Excluding the Department of Zoology) | Class Room No. 003, 004, 005, 006, 13, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, Verandahs and Entrance areas | Wiped the window panes, dusting of the walls and railings, sweeping and mopping of the floors, cleaning the laboratories |
| Academic Block to Spring Valley Resort | Students of M. Sc. Physics, M.Sc. Zoology & M.Sc. Chemistry | Cleaning of Roadside areas | Cleaning of the bits of papers/plastics, overgrowth of hedges, sweeping |
| Spring Valley Resort to Medhikuchi | Students and faculty of MSW, MPC & MA in Mass Communication | Cleaning of Roadside areas and the Kamarkuchi market area | Cleaning of the bits of papers/plastics, overgrowth of hedges, sweeping |
Few reflections from the day
“We have cleaned the toilets on the Ground Floor of the Academic Block. I feel happy and contended that we did not have any inhibitions in doing so. I believe that we should take care of our own toilets as well the public toilets: they should be clean and hygienic,” said Mr. Baldwin Sumer, Assistant Professor at the University.
Similarly, Ms. Memorial Khongkai, Ms. Asha Sangrola and Ms. Daphilarisa Khongwir, students at the Department of Social Work reported that the students were not deterred in the act of cleaning up the streets adjacent to the Kamarkuchi marketplace even though it rained heavily.
Again, Dr. Vedant Borah, coordinating the cleaning drive in the School of Life Sciences block said, “The students and faculty have cleaned up the classrooms and the laboratories with much ownership, love and care.”
In conclusion, it may be said that it was a good beginning for the Swacchata Pakhwada 2017. It was wonderful to observe the camaraderie among students, faculty, staff and management of the university as they carried out the activities with much joy and cheerfulness.