Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 13 (UNI) Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has said local bodies should pioneer the culture of cleanliness in the state.

"We have to be clean in our habits, our behaviour and actions to make our state an attractive destination," he said.

Recalling the call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the governor observed that cleanliness has an important role to play in boosting tourism also.

Local bodies should display leadership in having good waste management practices, he pointed out.

Giving away the awards for the best-performing panchayat, municipality and corporation, the governor said cleanliness is not a one-day affair, but consistent efforts are required to keep our premises – neighbourhood and community – clean.

Exhorting local bodies of the state to cultivate cleanliness as a habit and create awareness amongst our people, he said the nation as a whole should rise to higher levels of cleanliness.

The governor said this while inaugurating the concluding session of the 5-day Vruthi Conclave here on Saturday.

The function was presided over by M.B. Rajesh, Kerala Minister for Local Self Government. V.K. Prasanth MLA, Ms Sarada Muraleedharan, Chief Secretary of the State, and Ms T.V. Anupama, Special Secretary, Local Self Government, attended the session.

UNI DS ARN