Non-profit conducts cleanliness drive with NJ Parks and Rec

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The Dr. Shri Nanasaheb Dharmadhikari Pratishthan (DSNDP), which describes itself as a “global non-profit” was joined by members of the public June 1, 2024, to carry out a Cleanliness Drive to celebrate National Trails Day in collaboration with the Department of Infrastructure Management, New Jersey with the state’s Office of Parks and Recreation. The initiative was in keeping with its motto “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (The world is one family). Volunteers spent the day collecting trash, removing invasive plants, branches and cleared the Gravel Hill Trail route which spanned around 2.5 miles.

This event was a follow up to a much larger one held on Earth Day weekend when DSNDP organized a “Mega Cleanliness Drive and Tree Plantation Event” across 21 locations in New York and New Jersey on April 27, 2024. More than 300 volunteers from 29 states in the United States and other countries like Canada, Mexico, India, participated in that. Elected officials including New Jersey State Senator Angela V.  McKnight, Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez; Chairperson Anthony L. Romano Jr.; Council President Joyce E. Watterman attended. The officials appreciated DSNDP’s contributions to nationwide efforts made by thousands of volunteers driving these state-run programs.

Within the North American continent, DSNDP said it collaborates with 18 states and 73 cities across the United States for nationwide cleanliness drives including 17 different programs such as Adopt-A-Highway/Park/Beach/Street/River etc. During these cleanliness drives, DSNDP has successfully engaged 1, 879 volunteers, actively collecting more than 31,000 pounds of trash, resulting in significant cost savings for the government, it said. The organization has received accolades from various state and county governments in form of 46 certificates and 44 signboards within the nation.

It also hosted a Women’s Cancer Awareness Conference in February 2023 as well as organized blood and plasma donation drives in Canada and the United States in recent years.