**Summary: ICMR-NIV, Pune Swachhata Pakhwada Observation (April 2026)**
The ICMR-National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV), Pune, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, observed **Swachhata Pakhwada** from **April 1 to April 15, 2026**. The initiative aimed to reaffirm the institute’s commitment to cleanliness, hygiene, and environmental sustainability with active participation from scientists, staff, and students.
**Key Activities and Initiatives:**
* **Commencement:** The event began on April 1, 2026, with a Swachhata pledge to raise awareness and encourage sustainable practices.
* **Cleanliness Drives:** In the spirit of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, voluntary *Shramdaan* and cleanliness drives were conducted across the institute’s campus and its surrounding areas.
* **Educational Awareness:** An awareness talk titled “Cleanliness-Spiritual Dimension of Health” was organized to highlight the link between cleanliness and physical/mental well-being.
* **Public Engagement:** ICMR-NIV hosted a walkathon to promote public health and shared responsibility. Additionally, a signature campaign and a Swachhata-themed selfie point were established to motivate staff.
* **Sustainability & Creativity:** A ‘Waste-to-Art’ competition was held, focusing on the principles of "reduce, reuse, and recycle" by transforming waste materials into useful artwork.
* **Conclusion:** The fortnight concluded with a tree plantation activity across the institute’s campuses to promote a greener future.
**Administrative and Contact Information:**
* **Post Date:** 20 APR 2026, 3:21 PM
* **Location:** PIB Mumbai / Pune
* **Representatives:** Harshal Akude/Darshana Rane (PIB Pune)
* **Release ID:** 2253744
* **Visitor Counter:** 47
* **Contact Email:** pibmumbai[at]gmail[dot]com
* **Social Media Handles:** @PIBMumbai (X/Twitter), /PIBMumbai (Facebook/YouTube), /pibmumbai (Instagram/Koo)
Key Entities Referenced
Swachhata Pakhwada: A fortnight-long cleanliness initiative observed by government institutions to promote hygiene, waste management, and environmental sustainability.
ICMR-National Institute of Virology, Pune (ICMR-NIV): The primary research organization that conducted the cleanliness drives, awareness talks, and 'Waste-to-Art' competitions mentioned.
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: The national cleanliness mission of India whose principles guided the voluntary Shramdaan and hygiene activities at the institute.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
From Pledge to Practice: ICMR-NIV, Pune
observed Swachhata Pakhwada during 1st to
15th April, 2026
Posted On: 20 APR 2026 3:21PM by PIB Mumbai
Pune, 20 April 2026
ICMR-National Institute of Virology, Pune (ICMR-NIV) and its units successfully observed
Swachhata Pakhwada during 1st to 15th April, 2026, with active participation from scientists,
staff, and students, reaffirming its commitment to cleanliness, hygiene, and environmental
sustainability.
The fortnight’s events commenced on 1st April, 2026 with a Swachhata pledge, marking the
beginning of activities aimed at raising awareness about the importance of cleanliness and
encouraging sustainable practices.
Upholding the spirit of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, voluntary Shramdaan and a cleanliness drive
were carried out at the institute’s campus and surrounding areas. An awareness talk titled
“Cleanliness-Spiritual Dimension of Health” was also organized, emphasizing on the vital role of
cleanliness in promoting physical and mental well-being.Strengthening the awareness efforts, ICMR-NIV hosted a Swachhata Pakhwada walkathon
promoting cleanliness and hygiene as essential pillars of public health and a shared
responsibility of all citizens.
Reinforcing the principles of reduce, reuse and recycle, a ‘Waste-to-Art’ competition was
conducted, inspiring participants to creatively transform everyday waste materials into useful
artworks. This was complemented by a signature campaign and a Swachhata-themed selfie
point initiative, motivating staff to pledge towards keeping their surroundings clean.
The pakhwada concluded on a positive note with tree plantation activity at the institute’s
campuses, reflecting collective efforts of NIVians towards building a green and healthy future.
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PIB Pune | Harshal Akude/Darshana Rane
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