Mizoram chief minister Lalduhoma on Friday set an example as he joined a mega cleanliness drive in a stream in Aizawl as part of a cleanliness campaign of Tlawng river, the main source of water supply to the state capital.

Donned in a labour dress, carrying a dao in his traditional woolen bag and wearing a hat, the 75-year old was seen collecting garbage among youth volunteers from Aizawl’s Tuikual stream, which flows into Tlawng river.

For Lalduhoma, a person who strongly believes in “Tlawmngaina,” a Mizo ethical code of selfless service, VIP status does not bother him when it comes to helping the poor or social service.

The cleanliness event was organised jointly by the Save Riparian Group and the NSS Cell of Mizoram’s Sports and Youth Service department.

Braving a scorching heat, over 500 youth volunteers took part at the event.

Sports minister Lalnghinglova Hmar also participated in the cleanliness drive.

Addressing the participants at the beginning of the cleanliness programme, Lalduhoma shared his past observations of the Tlawng River’s pollution caused by waste from Aizawl city.

He lauded the Save the Riparian group for its relentless efforts to clean tributaries of Tlawng river or streams that originated from Aizawl and flows into Tlawng river.

Tlawng river is the main source of water supply for the state capital.

“Their (Save Riparian Group) initiatives prompted both the government and myself to take action towards cleaning streams to have clean water supply,” Lalduhoma said.

He said that the commendable service of the Save Riparian group encouraged him to take part at Friday’s event. 

The Chief Minister had earlier supported the service and cause of the group by donating Rs. 2 lakh last month.

The Save Riparian Group was formed in March this year with an objective to clean gorges and streams to have clean water supply from Tlawng river.

The group launched the first phase of its massive cleanliness drive for 20 days in April and cleaned two streams.

The second phase of the mega cleanliness drive was launched in early May and during the drive, members of Save Riparian are trying to clean barbages from Tuikual Lui (stream) and other streams within 30 days.

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