Darjeeling, August 11, 2025 – A new initiative aimed at keeping the picturesque hill station clean and beautiful was officially launched on Monday, August 11, 2025, at the Gorkha Rangamanch Bhawan. The campaign, titled ‘Mero Darjeeling – Maya Ani Sewa Tapailai’ (which translates to “Love and Service to You, Darjeeling”), calls on citizens to dedicate just two hours a week to cleaning their surroundings.
A key aspect of the campaign is plogging, an activity that combines jogging with picking up litter, promoting both physical fitness and environmental responsibility. The campaign encourages people to get involved, not just by cleaning but also by adopting a healthy lifestyle.
The campaign is spearheaded by the VikRun Foundation, in collaboration with the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) and the Darjeeling Municipality. The launch event was graced by several prominent figures, including GTA Chief Executive Anit Thapa, VikRun Foundation founder Vikram Rai, and Darjeeling Municipality Chairman Dipen Thakuri. Their presence underscored the importance of this initiative in building a cleaner and more sustainable Darjeeling.
During his speech at the launch event, Anit Thapa emphasized the importance of personal responsibility in driving change. “Real transformation comes when individuals take ownership of their environment,” he stated. “If we all think of Darjeeling as my Darjeeling, we can work together to make it better.”
Vikram Rai, founder of VikRun Foundation, echoed Thapa’s sentiments and outlined the campaign’s goal of conducting weekly clean-up drives in each ward of Darjeeling. “We aim to make this a sustainable, grassroots movement. We want every part of Darjeeling to be involved, and our focus is to make this initiative practical and long-lasting,” Rai said.
The event also took time to recognize the contributions of sanitation workers, who were honored for their dedication to keeping the town clean. Their hard work is crucial in maintaining Darjeeling’s beauty, and the campaign seeks to complement and support these efforts through community involvement.
‘Mero Darjeeling’ is a call to action for everyone – residents, students, business owners, and even visitors. The campaign seeks to foster a sense of collective responsibility, urging everyone to take pride in their town and contribute to its cleanliness. It highlights that even small actions, like dedicating just two hours per week, can make a significant impact in improving the town’s environment.
The campaign promotes not only cleanliness but also a healthier lifestyle, as plogging encourages physical activity while contributing to the environment. With regular participation in these drives, Darjeeling hopes to see a cleaner town and a more engaged, health-conscious community.
The VikRun Foundation, GTA, and Darjeeling Municipality are optimistic about the future of this initiative, believing it will spark a broader movement toward environmental consciousness and civic responsibility across the region.
As the campaign continues to unfold, it aims to inspire a ripple effect, inviting everyone to join hands and make Darjeeling a cleaner, greener, and more vibrant place for all.
