By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
Marking World Cleanup Day with a strong message of environmental responsibility, students from Doon University’s Master of Social Work (MSW) programme on Saturday spearheaded a significant clean-up drive in the neighbourhood areas.
Speaking on the occasion, Doon University Vice Chancellor Prof Surekha Dangwal said the university is committed to foster a culture where students fulfil their social responsibility apart from excelling in academics. “Our students are regularly organising and participating in environmental as well as social awareness related activities.”
The initiative formed part of Ecolympics 2025, an inter-college competition organised by the Waste Warriors Society, and underscored the growing commitment of young people towards sustainable waste management and climate action. This is the third consecutive year of Doon University’s participation in the competition, reflecting the university’s sustained engagement with issues of ecology and civic responsibility.
In a gesture of deep commitment to social work, students joined hands to clear waste from public spaces. The collected waste was systematically segregated and sent to the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) at Harrawala, operated by Waste Warriors, ensuring that recyclable material was recovered and the rest was responsibly managed. By diverting waste from landfills, the drive highlighted the importance of scientific waste management practices.
Faculty members accompanying the students stressed that such efforts are not only about cleaning the surroundings but also about changing attitudes.
“These young minds have a social responsibility and when they take the lead, they inspire the community to adopt better habits. This movement is about awareness as much as it is about action,” Professor Harsh Dobhal, Coordinator of the Department of Social Work, said.
Students also shared their motivation for participating, noting that waste and pollution are challenges they see daily in their neighbourhoods. For them, contributing to a cleaner city was both a responsibility and an opportunity to demonstrate that small, consistent actions can have a lasting impact.
The clean-up drive gained support from local residents, who expressed appreciation for the students’ initiative. Organisers believe that partnerships between educational institutions and civil society groups like Waste Warriors play a vital role in shaping environmentally conscious citizens.
Highlighting the significance of the drive, organisers noted that such grassroots initiatives not only address pressing local concerns but also contribute to the global fight against climate change and environmental degradation.
