• Home
  • When Communities Lead the Change: “Humari Safai, Humara Yogdaan” Transforms J&K into a People’s Movement

When Communities Lead the Change: “Humari Safai, Humara Yogdaan” Transforms J&K into a People’s Movement

by:swachhjk November 14, 2025 0 Comments

What began as a simple, powerful idea “Cleanliness starts with me” has blossomed  into one of the most heartwarming, community-driven cleanliness movements across Jammu & Kashmir. Under the banner of “Humari Safai, Humara Yogdaan” (Our Cleanliness, Our Contribution), Municipal Bodies, IEC teams and Swaaha IEC have successfully forged a partnership with citizens to revolutionize responsible waste management.

The most remarkable part? The citizens are not just participating; they are leading.

Building Consensus: Residents, Traders and Committees Unite

The movement’s success lies in its ability to bring diverse stakeholders to one table.

In Srinagar’s Ward No. 31 (Chanapora), the SMC and IEC team held a pivotal meeting uniting the Residential Committee and the Market Committee. The conversation was practical and focused on core issues: source segregation, timely user charges and sweeping schedules.

Residents voiced concerns, traders offered suggestions, and, for the first time, both sides established a common ground: Cleanliness is everyone’s collective responsibility. The session concluded with a mutual pledge to cooperate, properly segregate waste, and uphold a higher standard of cleanliness in Chanapora.

Empowering the Frontline: Drivers as “Swachhta Ambassadors”

Recognizing the crucial role of sanitation workers, SMC conducted a specialized awareness session for Drivers and Helpers the team with daily household interaction.

The focus shifted from mere duty to ambassadorship. The session trained them on:

  • Following segregation norms diligently.
  • Collecting user charges politely.
  • Communicating respectfully with households.

Many drivers shared how respectful interactions immediately improved public response. They now view themselves not just as workers, but as confident, responsible Ambassadors of the Swachh Srinagar mission, directly shaping the public’s positive mindset.

Door-to-Door Momentum: Trust Built on Every Step

Across Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) like MC Baramulla (Ward 18), SMC (Ward 31), MC Nowshera, and MC Aishmuqam, the door-to-door drive proved to be the movement’s engine.

This approach was not about distributing dry information; it was about building trust:

  • Teams patiently explained the simple steps: separate wet and dry waste, pay user charges, and try home composting.
  • In Baramulla, personal conversations built trust, leading many residents to pledge segregation immediately.
  • In Nowshera and Aishmuqam, the warmth of the reception was notable households often gathered neighbours so everyone could listen and learn together.

Ground-Level Action: Ownership in Jammu

The Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) exemplified the power of ground-level engagement:

  • Ward 28 (Bakshi Nagar): JMC teams went directly to residents, explaining the why behind user charges and segregation. Residents felt heard and connected to the mission, confirming that these on-the-ground visits make a real difference.
  • Wards 56 & 57 (Gangyal): The campaign transformed into a full-fledged movement. Residents voluntarily stepped forward to guide their neighbours, and many promised to actively support sweeping staff. This became a vibrant model of citizen-driven cleanliness.

Categories:

Leave Comment