Pune: As part of Swachhata Hi Seva campaign, INS Shivaji conducted a series of activities from 15 Sep to 02 Oct 2020. The Establishment drove a massive campaign to spread awareness regarding proper segregation and disposal of waste. Lectures and messages were delivered using social media, for shop owners, conservancy staff, galley staff and residents.
Various measures were implemented to ensure complete stoppage of single use plastic and recycling of solid waste within the Establishment. Community Shramdaans were conducted by all the Service Personnel and Defence Civilians and their family members to clean and preserve the flora and fauna, in and around the Establishment.
An online poster making competition themed on Swachh Bharat and protection of environment was conducted for School Children, who participated enthusiastically in large number.
To mark the culmination of the campaign, a tree plantation drive was organised on 02 Oct 2020. It also included beautification of public gardens at Officers and Sailors’ residential areas, in association with NGO STAMP. A total of 500 saplings were planted during the plantation drive. All activities were conducted whilst adhering to extant COVID-19 guidelines.
What is INS Shivaji
INS Shivaji is the premier technical training establishment of the Indian Navy which imparts specialised training on marine engineering to officers and sailors of the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and friendly foreign navies. The naval establishment is spread over 800 acres in the hill town of Lonavala in Maharashtra’s Pune district and houses a population of nearly 5,000.
Recently, 12 trainee sailors from INS Shivaji had tested positive for coronavirus infection. The first COVID-19 case was detected on the campus on June 18. The infected cadet was part of a batch of 157 trainee sailors. They had reported back after leave following the easing of lockdown.