Sevalaya organised its Annual Smokeless Bhogi Rally on 12 Jan 2026 at Ambattur to raise awareness about the environmental damage caused by the harmful practice of burning of wastes to celebrate Bhogi festival. More than 900 students, teachers and authorities from Sevalaya’s Mahakavi Bharathiyar Higher Secondary School, Kasuva near Thiruninravur, P K Government Girls Higher Secondary School and Sethu Bhaskara Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Ambattur participated in the rally and spread the message of a clean and green environment.
R Frank D Ruban, Assistant Commissioner of Police – Ambattur Range, R Mohan, Proprietor – K G R Apparel Exports and S P P Selvakumar, Principal – Sethu Bhaskara Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Ambattur graced the occasion as Chief Guests. R Frank D Ruban spoke about following the norms suggested by the Pollution Control Board, the severe effects of smoke in our national capital New Delhi and encouraged students to spread the message of Smokeless Bhogi at their home and surroundings also. The Chief Guests flagged off the rally.
In his welcome address, V Muralidharan, Founder and Managing Trustee, explained that Sevalaya has been conducting Smokeless Bhogi Rally across Tamil Nadu for more than 20 years to spread awareness about the harmful effects of burning waste materials during Bhogi. Advising the participants to walk in formation of 3 students per row, he stressed the importance of spreading awareness without disturbing the movement of traffic.
The students, full of excitement and energy, started their march carrying the message of environmental responsibility to the streets of Ambattur. They carried banners and chanted slogans such as “Smokeless Bhogi- The One Who Celebrates it is a Yogi” and “Don’t Burn Plastic- Don’t Call Death”, raising awareness about the harmful effects of smoke and plastic pollution on our health and environment. The rally was taken out from Rakki Cinemas to Sethu Bhaskara Matriculation Higher Secondary School, for a distance of 1.5 kms. At the end of the rally refreshments and water bottles were provided to all the participants, sponsored by R Mohan, Proprietor- K G R Apparel Exports, Aram Porul Foundation, Sethu Bhaskara Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Balaji Shopping Centre- Thiruninravur, Thiruninravur Vanigar Sangam and Praseen Bakery.
Sankara Pandian A, Physical Director, Sevalaya presented mementos to the Chief Guests. At the end of the rally, S P P Selvakumar thanked the police department, Sevalaya team and all the students and authorities for their participation and support.
