This Swachh crusader spruces up Tumakuru

Tumakuru: Whether the Swacch Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi gains momentum or not, the movement of ‘Clean Tumakuru’ launched by retired government employee Kantharajaiah B, about two-and-half years ago, has created ripples in this town.

Come rain or shine, this crusader of Swachh Tumakuru devotes much of his time just to clean the streets in Channabasaveshwara layout of Tumakuru. The 63-year-old Kantharajaiah, who is retired Gazetted Manager in the department of Education, starts his day at 5 in the morning by cleaning his house first.

Later he works in the streets of Channabasaveshwara layout by clearing litter, removing unwanted plants, plastic from 7 am to 11 am. In the evening, he works from 5 pm to 7 pm creating awareness among residents not to throw waste in the streets.

Kantharajaiah is not worried about converting others, but he wants to set an example by being a change and bringing a change in their layout. According to Kantharajaiah, it is easy to keep their house streets and surroundings spic and span if one makes up their mind.

“My wife opposed me when I took up job of cleaning the streets. Citizens too thought I had gone mad. The municipality never comes to my help to clean the place. Moreover, I expect nothing for my work except co-operation. Finally, everyone began to understand my work. That’s enough. Its gives me immense pleasure of serving a bit to the nation where I was born”, says Kantharajaiah.

He shells out around Rs 4,000 or more per month from his pension amount to buy hand gloves, petrol for his two-wheeler and other expense like printing of awareness pamphlets. Sometimes he put up posters calling on locals and passers-by not to dump garbage or urinate at public places. “My mother’s ideals made me to take up this cleanliness drive. Since my childhood I have an ambition to do something before my death. So, I have taken it up in spite non-cooperation. But, now I’m satisfied because my colony is a model for all other layouts of Tumakuru”, says Kantharajaiah.

The yeoman service of Kantharajaiah, brought a fresh lease of life to the residents, said Siddaramaiah a resident of the Channabasaveshwara layout.

Tumkauru Clean City Association, which is came into existence recently to promote cleanliness drive in Tumakuru, which selected for ‘Smart City’ project, identifies Kantharajaiah as an icon to implement Swacch Bharat Mission in Tumakuru.