Highlights
- 'Swachhata Hi Seva' campaign launched ahead of Gandhi Jayanti
- Motive of the campaign is to celebrate October 2 as ‘Clean October 2’
- People from all walks of life to undertake 'Shramdaan' for clean up drives
New Delhi: The Centre will launch a nation-wide, fortnight-long sanitation campaign from tomorrow to highlight the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government’s flagship cleanliness initiative Swachh Bharat Mission. The campaign, named ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ (Cleanliness is Service) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will be launched by President Ram Nath Kovind from Ishworiganj village in Kanpur. The initiative, which is being coordinated by the Ministry of Drinking water and sanitation, will include ‘Sharamdaan’ or voluntary work and will focus on mass mobilisation and reinforce ‘jan andolan’ for sanitation to contribute to Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of a clean India.
Also Read: Ahead Of Gandhi Jayanti, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Calls For Swachchta Hi Seva Campaign
Sanitation is linked to various sectors. From Health to giving security and dignity to women, sanitation also affects a country economically. According to UNICEF good sanitation can save Rs 50,000 per year per family, says Parameswaran Iyer, Secretary, Ministry of Drinking water and Sanitation.
Parameswaran Iyer said the campaign will see large scale mobilisation of people from all walks of life, including the Prime Minister, Union ministers, Chief Ministers, Members of Parliament, NGOs to undertake ‘Shramdaan’ for cleanliness and construction of toilets and to make their surroundings free from open defecation. It will target cleaning of public and tourist places too. The Ministry has made elaborate plans along with the state governments to reach out to poor and marginalised and provide them with sustainable sanitation services.
Also Read: Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: Can India Become Open Defecation Free By 2019?
The government has identified special dates during the campaign period. September 17 has been reserved for the voluntary work and cleanliness and construction of toilets. On September 24, citizens at panchayat and municipal levels will take up voluntary work. On September 25, public places, bus stands, and hospitals will be cleaned. A special cleanliness drive is planned for 15 identified places on October 1.
On October 2, Gandhi Jayanti, which is also the Swachh Bharat Diwas, awards for essays, short film and painting competitions that have been held until September 8 will be given.
