When Aparajita Sahu, a student of Balasore Art and Craft College, was given a big canvas, a white sheet and colours, she wasn't intimidated by the blank medium. Though a piece of a blank sheet can be daunting for even experienced artists, she could sketch an 'idea' instantly.

Because, the theme, 'Swachh Bharat,' was so relevant to the budding painter, who had often spotted littered public places in her town, witnessed people in her village defecating in the open and deforestation. This time, she wanted to change the prevailing mindset of her countrymen by taking them back to Gandhian times through a piece of art.

The 20-year-old student translated her idea that was floating in her mind since long on the blank sheet. Her drawing was metaphorical. Using Gandhi's spectacle, which was a window to the world, and the image of a sapling, she sought to spread awareness about the plantation and keeping the environment clean and green.

Like Aparajita, Udhav Nayak of Khalikote University also made a painting at the regional centre of Lalit Kala Akademi in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. The theme was the same. But, the presentation was completely different. He drew the image of a ragpicker, who was collecting waste. Beneath his foot, were newspapers carrying images of Gandhi. "People have forgotten the Gandhian values. It was Gandhi who had envisioned a Swachh Bharat. But, no one remembers his words," he added.

These students were participating in a painting camp, organised under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan on July 10 and 11. At the end of the camp, their paintings were displayed at the Akademi. Students from 12 art and craft colleges of the State had participated in the programme. Similar camps were organised at various other centres of the Akademi across India.

"The paintings made by the students will be sent to various centres of the Akademi across India. They will be displayed in exhibitions held at different cities," said Promud Boruah, regional secretary in-charge of the centre.