The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) concluded the 'Swachhata Hi Seva' fortnight and the 'Svabhava Swachha - Sanskar Swachha' campaign with great enthusiasm at the CIDCO Exhibition Centre in Vashi. The grand cleanliness festival, attended by over 7,500 students and citizens, was filled with vibrant chants of the motto ‘Nischay Kela Number Pehla’.

The event was graced by several dignitaries, including Thane Lok Sabha Member Mr. Naresh Mhaske, Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Dr. Kailas Shinde, Additional Commissioners Mr. Sunil Pawar and Mr. Shirish Aardwad, and notable personalities such as Calligrapher Mr. Achyut Palav, adventure swimmer Mr. Shubham Vanmali, and actress Mrs. Radhika Deshpande, among others.

Although the 'Swachhata Hi Seva' fortnight has officially concluded, Mr. Naresh Mhaske emphasized that this marks the beginning of a sustained commitment to cleanliness. He encouraged citizens to take personal responsibility for maintaining cleanliness, asserting that collaboration between the Municipal Corporation and the community can achieve remarkable results. “Stopping unsanitary behaviour is a way to express love for our city,” he remarked.

Dr. Kailas Shinde expressed gratitude for the overwhelming participation of citizens in daily activities throughout the fortnight. He noted that Navi Mumbai has gained national recognition for its innovative cleanliness initiatives, and he praised the involvement of students in various competitive activities aimed at instilling cleanliness values from an early age. He expressed optimism that future projects like 'Waste to Energy' and 'Textile Recycling' will further enhance the city's reputation.

Additional Commissioner Mr. Sunil Pawar commended the citizens' enthusiastic response to the campaign, stating that the activities have successfully instilled a culture of cleanliness in the minds of thousands of students.

Actress Radhika Deshpande highlighted the importance of educating children about cleanliness and urged the community to reduce waste at home, thereby alleviating the burden on cleaning staff.

The festival included engaging performances, with the renowned Afreen Band entertaining the crowd and stand-up comedian Mr. Sushant Ghadge humorously addressing hygiene habits. Students from NMMC School No. 78 and Alpesh Dance Academy also showcased their talents through traditional and contemporary performances focused on cleanliness.

In a heartfelt tribute was paid to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, and Lal Bahadur Shastri on their birth anniversaries, the event recognized local sanitation workers with insurance coverage under the 'Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana' and 'Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana'.

Throughout the fortnight, various hygiene competitions were held in schools, culminating in awards for winners. Notable achievements included Gitesh Saharkar from St. Mary's School, Daksh Dattatray Vagre from Modern School, and Vijay Prakash Waydande from ICL School, who were all recognized for their exemplary performances.

The CIDCO Exhibition Centre was adorned with flags and cleanliness boards, creating a festive atmosphere. Attendees explored stalls showcasing innovative items made from waste, as well as educational displays on sustainable practices, including alternatives to plastic bags and composting materials.

The highlight of the event was a massive canvas painted by 12,450 students from 50 schools, symbolizing their commitment to cleanliness under the slogan 'Swachhata Hi Seva'.