Shillong Sept 7: Meghalaya chief minister, Conrad K Sangma on Saturday launched the “ShillongMyPassion” movement, a collective responsibility to make Shillong city clean and healthier.

The campaign is an initiative of the chief minister and East Khasi Hills district deputy commissioner.

Sangma also took part in the cleaning drive at Cleve Colony along with officials and students.

“Let the movement be a collective responsibility for all of us to make Shillong clean and healthier. It is the beginning of a revolution that will move forward and continue only through its people,” Sangma said at the function at Cleve Colony.

‘Shillong My Passion’ is a community driven initiative for a cleaner and greener environment.

The Chief Minister termed the initiative as the beginning of a ‘revolution’ while stating that the success of the programme would largely depend on the commitment of each and every individual.

Lauding the efforts of various organisations, institutions, local bodies and individuals which have been engaged in keeping the environment and surroundings clean, the Chief Minister said that the ‘Shillong My Passion’ will provide a common platform for citizens to connect to the cause of a cleaner environment in the State.

Stating that sustained efforts are needed on the part of every individual to bring change, the Chief Minister exhorted everyone to be more proactive. ’It is the responsibility of every individual to work towards the larger goal of keeping cities, towns, villages, rivers and water bodies clean and pollution free. I hope that the movement started here today will spread across the State’, the Chief Minister said.

Talking about the concept of RRR (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle), he said that said that in the era of ‘market’ and ‘consumption’ driven economy there is a strong need to balance economic growth with ecological sustainability.

Referring to the presentation of the Municipal Board on waste segregation and management, the Chief Minister said that the Government will initiate training and sensitisation programmes across the State in a phase wise manner.

Photo and meme competitions were being planned for students of schools and colleges as part of the green campaign.