Summary of the News Article

Jiribam Municipal Council in Manipur has been awarded the “Most Promising Town” title under the Swachh Survekshan Awards 2024‑25 held in New Delhi. It stood first among 21 small towns (population below 20,000) in the North Eastern region and secured 174th nationally out of 2,035 towns. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs also certified Jiribam as a 3‑Star Garbage‑Free City (GFC) with QDF++ status. Manipur’s delegation, led by senior MAHUD officials and Jiribam Municipal Council representatives, received the award from President Droupadi Murmu and Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. Post-award, the team participated in sessions focused on improving implementation of central schemes through innovation, monitoring, and citizen engagement

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Introduction

Ever wonder how a small town with big dreams makes national headlines? Well, Jiribam, a lesser-known town in Manipur, just did that—landing the coveted “Most Promising Town” title in this year’s Swachh Survekshan awards. Imagine a scrappy underdog rising to national fame by simply doing what it should: cleanliness, community spirit, and smart urban governance. Intrigued? Let’s unpack how Jiribam made this leap and why it matters for every small town with big ambitions.

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The Award & Its Prestige

Swachh Survekshan is India’s flagship cleanliness and sanitation performance assessment for urban local bodies. This year, Jiribam was crowned North East’s top small town in its population category (under 20,000). Nationally, it stood impressive at 174th out of 2,035 towns—a serious achievement for a town of its size and resources . Plus, Jiribam earned a 3-Star Garbage‑Free City label with a bonus QDF++ (qualified as defecation-free), further underlining its robust efforts.

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Where is Jiribam & Who’s Behind the Win

Nestled about 220 km west of Imphal, Jiribam sits along the Assam-Manipur border. Its entry into the Swachh Survekshan circuit reflects years of groundwork by:

• Jiribam Municipal Council, led by Chairperson S. Shanti Devi and Executive Officer Moirangthem Surjit
• Officials like RK Dinesh Singh and Ngangom Uttam Singh from Manipur’s MAHUD
• An active citizenry and dedicated sanitation workers

Together, they turned a modest town into a shining example of hygiene and governance.

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Conclusion

Jiribam’s rise from quiet district town to a national “Most Promising Town” shows that when civic energy meets consistent system-building, magic happens. It’s not glossy PR—it’s real, replicable progress. When governance teams, frontline workers, and residents come together, clean streets and waste systems follow. Now, that’s the kind of movement every other town should watch—and emulate. Jiribam didn’t just win a title—it lit a path.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What exactly does “Most Promising Town” signify?
It acknowledges towns showing exceptional improvement and potential in cleanliness, waste management, and citizen engagement in Swachh Survekshan

2. What’s a Garbage‑Free City (GFC) rating?
GFC is a grading for urban bodies based on their solid waste systems—Jiribam achieved a 3‑Star level plus QDF++, signaling high sanitation standards .

3. How did Jiribam outperform other towns in Northeast?
Through diligent community involvement, visible street-level hygiene, school programs, and effective monitoring mechanisms

4. Can other small towns replicate Jiribam’s success?
Absolutely—by focusing on behavior change, low-cost interventions, tracking systems, and local ownership, other towns can follow the same blueprint.

5. What’s next for Jiribam after the award?
The focus is now on sustainability—ongoing training, data insights, public transparency, and mentoring other towns in Manipur.

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