News & Announcement
Inter-College Competition on Waste Management
Gangtok, October 16 (IPR): The Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) under the Urban Development Department, in collaboration with 24 Hours Inspired, organised an inter-college competition today at the Conference Hall of the State Panchayat Resource Centre (GMC Building), Deorali, Gangtok.
The event focused on the topic ‘Household Waste Management and SUP Survey’, based on a survey of 36,000 households across the seven urban local bodies of the state, and was held under the theme ‘Our Community, Our Future’. The competition witnessed participation from colleges located in the seven urban local bodies across the state. Secretary, Urban Development Department, Ms Yogeeta Rai, graced the occasion as the chief guest.
In her address, Ms Yogeeta Rai expressed immense pleasure in being part of a programme of vital importance, highlighting its contribution to the state’s progress through a cleaner and healthier environment. She emphasised that the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) programme is a core component of the Swachh Bharat Mission and that the day’s event reflected the genuine concern and commitment of young minds towards waste management.
She called upon students to be torchbearers of the mission and undertake it as a social responsibility. Stressing the importance of the principles of ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’, she underlined the civic responsibility of all citizens in proper waste disposal, including composting and segregation at source. Calling urban waste management a complex challenge, she urged students to take it as a critical issue and come up with innovative ideas to address it. She also encouraged students to lead by example through community cleanliness drives, adding that creating a clean state is not solely the government’s task but a moral duty of all citizens. She reiterated that a ‘Sunaulo, Samriddha ani Samartha’ Sikkim can only be achieved on a strong Swachh foundation, and appealed to all citizens to work collectively towards a cleaner and more developed state.
An overview of ENGAGE 2025 was presented by State Mission Director-cum-Additional Secretary, Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), UDD, Mr Jigme Wangchuk Bhutia. He shared that ENGAGE 2025 was launched to actively involve students from schools and colleges as stakeholders in waste management, recognising the youth as the future of the state. He stated that the initiative aligns with the national vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’, where effective waste management plays a vital role in transforming India into a developed nation.
He highlighted that under the programme, students conducted a comprehensive field survey covering 36,000 households across the state. He also emphasised the importance of waste segregation and urged people to adopt the practice for a healthier environment. He mentioned that a similar competition was conducted for school students during the month of August, with awards and certificates presented by Governor, Mr Om Prakash Mathur, and Chief Minister, Mr Prem Singh Tamang, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti at MG Marg on October 2, 2025. He concluded by thanking the students for their innovative recommendations and contributions towards a cleaner Sikkim.
The five participating colleges in the competition were:
Harka Maya College of Education, Gangtok
Loyola College of Education, Namchi
Nar Bahadur Bhandari Government College, Tadong
Sikkim Government College, Burtuk
Sikkim Professional University, Gangtok
Each team presented on the topic ‘Household Waste Management and SUP Survey’, based on the survey conducted across 36,000 households in the seven urban local bodies. The survey was the largest student-led waste management household survey conducted in Sikkim to date.
Participants were evaluated on the following criteria:
1. Content: Comprehensive coverage of waste management practices
2. Data Analysis: In-depth analysis of survey findings and insights
3. Visuals: Informative and engaging visual aids
4. Presentation: Clarity, confidence and organisation
5. Recommendations: Practical and actionable solutions
Each team was allotted 13 minutes for their presentation, followed by a two-minute question-and-answer session with the judges.
The panel of judges for the competition comprised the State Mission Director-cum-Additional Secretary, Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), Urban Development Department, Mr Jigme Wangchuk Bhutia; Joint Chief Commissioner, Gangtok Municipal Corporation, Mr Chiran Rizal; and Representative, Zero Waste Himalaya, Ms Priyadarshini Shreshta.
The event was attended by students and faculty members of the participating colleges, members of 24 Hours Inspired, and other stakeholders.
The welcome address was delivered by Chief Learning Officer, 24 Hours Inspired, Mr Diwakar Basnett, and the vote of thanks was proposed by IEC Consultant, Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), Urban Development Department, Ms Sonam Yoko Dadul.
The event focused on the topic ‘Household Waste Management and SUP Survey’, based on a survey of 36,000 households across the seven urban local bodies of the state, and was held under the theme ‘Our Community, Our Future’. The competition witnessed participation from colleges located in the seven urban local bodies across the state. Secretary, Urban Development Department, Ms Yogeeta Rai, graced the occasion as the chief guest.
In her address, Ms Yogeeta Rai expressed immense pleasure in being part of a programme of vital importance, highlighting its contribution to the state’s progress through a cleaner and healthier environment. She emphasised that the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) programme is a core component of the Swachh Bharat Mission and that the day’s event reflected the genuine concern and commitment of young minds towards waste management.
She called upon students to be torchbearers of the mission and undertake it as a social responsibility. Stressing the importance of the principles of ‘Reduce, Reuse and Recycle’, she underlined the civic responsibility of all citizens in proper waste disposal, including composting and segregation at source. Calling urban waste management a complex challenge, she urged students to take it as a critical issue and come up with innovative ideas to address it. She also encouraged students to lead by example through community cleanliness drives, adding that creating a clean state is not solely the government’s task but a moral duty of all citizens. She reiterated that a ‘Sunaulo, Samriddha ani Samartha’ Sikkim can only be achieved on a strong Swachh foundation, and appealed to all citizens to work collectively towards a cleaner and more developed state.
An overview of ENGAGE 2025 was presented by State Mission Director-cum-Additional Secretary, Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), UDD, Mr Jigme Wangchuk Bhutia. He shared that ENGAGE 2025 was launched to actively involve students from schools and colleges as stakeholders in waste management, recognising the youth as the future of the state. He stated that the initiative aligns with the national vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’, where effective waste management plays a vital role in transforming India into a developed nation.
He highlighted that under the programme, students conducted a comprehensive field survey covering 36,000 households across the state. He also emphasised the importance of waste segregation and urged people to adopt the practice for a healthier environment. He mentioned that a similar competition was conducted for school students during the month of August, with awards and certificates presented by Governor, Mr Om Prakash Mathur, and Chief Minister, Mr Prem Singh Tamang, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti at MG Marg on October 2, 2025. He concluded by thanking the students for their innovative recommendations and contributions towards a cleaner Sikkim.
The five participating colleges in the competition were:
Harka Maya College of Education, Gangtok
Loyola College of Education, Namchi
Nar Bahadur Bhandari Government College, Tadong
Sikkim Government College, Burtuk
Sikkim Professional University, Gangtok
Each team presented on the topic ‘Household Waste Management and SUP Survey’, based on the survey conducted across 36,000 households in the seven urban local bodies. The survey was the largest student-led waste management household survey conducted in Sikkim to date.
Participants were evaluated on the following criteria:
1. Content: Comprehensive coverage of waste management practices
2. Data Analysis: In-depth analysis of survey findings and insights
3. Visuals: Informative and engaging visual aids
4. Presentation: Clarity, confidence and organisation
5. Recommendations: Practical and actionable solutions
Each team was allotted 13 minutes for their presentation, followed by a two-minute question-and-answer session with the judges.
The panel of judges for the competition comprised the State Mission Director-cum-Additional Secretary, Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), Urban Development Department, Mr Jigme Wangchuk Bhutia; Joint Chief Commissioner, Gangtok Municipal Corporation, Mr Chiran Rizal; and Representative, Zero Waste Himalaya, Ms Priyadarshini Shreshta.
The event was attended by students and faculty members of the participating colleges, members of 24 Hours Inspired, and other stakeholders.
The welcome address was delivered by Chief Learning Officer, 24 Hours Inspired, Mr Diwakar Basnett, and the vote of thanks was proposed by IEC Consultant, Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban), Urban Development Department, Ms Sonam Yoko Dadul.
