Highlights
- PM Modi laid the foundation of twin pit toilet in Varanasi
- The Shramdaan for toilet construction was a part of Swachhata Hi Seva
- Varanasi aims to go Open Defecation Free by December 31, 2017
New Delhi: ‘Swachhata’ has to become ‘Swabhav’ – it is our collective responsibility to keep our nation clean, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he performed Shramdaan for the construction of a twin pit toilet at Shahanshahpur village in Varanasi on Saturday as a part of Swachhata Hi Seva campaign. Prime Minister Modi also interacted with the people of the village and guided them on why it is important to build a toilet at home. Moved by Prime Minister Modi’s efforts, the village has now decided to work together and make their entire village open defecation free as soon as possible.
As a part of #SwachhataHiSeva movement, did Shramdan for the construction of a twin pit toilet at Shahanshahpur, Varanasi. pic.twitter.com/53WDxYL7nq
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 23, 2017
Addressing the public gathering at Varanasi, PM Modi added, nobody likes dirt and garbage; nobody prefers to live in the filthy conditions. But, still, the understanding of ‘Swachhta is our responsibility’ is not there in our country. We all believe that cleanliness is someone else’s work, because of this attitude in our country we are not being able to keep our nation, villages, district as clean as it deserve to be.
PM also said, “Swachhta is a Puja for me. Cleanliness is a way to serve the poor of India.”
Swachhata is a Puja for me. Cleanliness is a way to serve the poor of India: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 23, 2017
The city of temples – Varanasi targets to go 100% open defecation free by December 31, 2017 by constructing 2.51 lakh toilets and aims to make two blocks out of its eight blocks free from open defecation by this Rashtriya Swachhta Diwas – October 2. As a part of cities Swachhata Hi Seva campaign, the authorities are constructing around 1100 toilets every single day.
The main motive of the campaign Swachhata Hi Seva which was initiated last month by PM Modi is to celebrate October 2 as Clean October 2 and give a push to a New India that’s free from open defecation, dirt, garbage. In the first four days of Swachhata Hi Seva, more than 75 lakh people have participated in swachh activities with more than 40 thousand initiatives. The campaign has also hit a milestone as the rural sanitation coverage has increased with 4 districts being declared ODF taking the total tally past 200 districts from current 197.
