Ahead Of Gandhi Jayanti, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Calls For Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday during his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’ said that festivals should be transformed into symbols of cleanliness in the ‘New India’ and called for a 15-day Swachhata Hi Seva (Cleanliness is Service) campaign ahead of Gandhi Jayanti. He added, “From September 15, let us take the pledge of ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ (cleanliness is service). Take one or more step towards cleanliness. Make your efforts count and you will see how this Gandhi Jayanti shines.”

This new campaign is being undertaken to mark the third anniversary of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mega cleanup drive – Swachh Bharat Abhiyan on October 2 and to give a push to the creation of a New India that’s free from open defecation, dirt and garbage.

Also Read: The Clean India Mission Is Not Restricted To Government Alone, It Has Become A Mass Movement: PM Narendra Modi On Mann Ki Baat

Talking about the positive impacts of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, PM Modi added, the campaign for cleanliness which was initiated three years ago will be marking its third anniversary on October 2. The positive results are now being seen. Access to toilets and sanitation has increased from 39 percent to almost 67 percent. More than 2,30,000 villages have been declared open defecation free.

In order to take these efforts to greater heights, PM Modi initiated the new cleanliness campaign and said, “Gandhi Jayanti should be celebrated as “Swachch Do Aktoobar, Clean 2nd October”.

Also Read: Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: Can India Become Open Defecation Free By 2019?

I urge everyone to come together. NGOs, schools, colleges, social, cultural and political leaders, people of the government, collectors and sarpanches, should start creating an environment of cleanliness at least 15 days ahead of Gandhi Jayanti, so that it turns out to be the 2nd October of Gandhi’s dreams.”

Swachhata Hi Seva also got support of people from all walks of life, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Dr Raman Singh said, “Urge all to join @NarendraModi ji’s ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ and promote cleanliness as the means of service to the nation. #MannKiBaat”

Singer Kailash Kher and Actor Anupam Kher too supported the new cleanliness initiative.

Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Sivraj Singh Chouhan said, Important point made by PM @narendramodi on diversity of India’s festivals & caring for environment.