The nation join hands for Swachhta hi Seva Campaign
Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan is a mission that has brought together the entire country to fight against the stubborn evil of insanitation and to ensure a clean India. The fight took on renewed energy through the efforts of the Narendra Modi Government to ensure an open-defection free, clean India.
Offering an impetus to the mission, President Ram Nath Kovind launched a fortnight-long initiative, ‘Swachhta Hi Seva’ (Cleanliness is Service) campaign from Uttar Pradesh. Launched from Iswariganj village near Kanpur, the President urged the citizens to take a pledge to keep their surroundings clean.
During the event, the President appreciated the efforts of Ishwariganj village to make their village open-defection free and encouraged citizens to take inspiration from this village. “We should make united efforts for cleanliness. It is not only the responsibility of the sanitation staff but all of us. Ensuring cleanliness will be the true tribute to Mahatma Gandhi,” he said, adding that diseases, including mental illness, can happen due to unclean atmosphere.
Appreciating the efforts of citizens, President Kovind lauded the resolve of women who refused to marry into homes without any toilets. He also appreciated the efforts of actors Amitabh Bachchan and Akshay Kumar for their support to the cause. Inviting celebrities to show their support and spread awareness, the Prime Minister sent personal letters urging them to participate.
On the occasion, Union Drinking Water Sanitation Minister Uma Bharti said that the primary idea behind the campaign was to fulfil Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of clean India and meet the Prime Minister’s target of creating an open-defecation free nation by 2019.
The campaign which is scheduled to conclude on October 2 on Gandhi Jayant will be marked by various ongoing initiatives across the country. From cleanliness drives to creative activities, citizens are determined to make this campaign a way of life.
Taking this cause further are the efforts of MyGov. With an aim to encourage and inspire citizens, MyGov is inviting citizens to participate in various creative activities. Citizens can share the ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures of their contribution to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and can also share pictures of their Shramdaan activities through the Narendra Modi app. To encourage citizens to participate enthusiastically, top contributors will receive a copy of the recently released Mann ki Baat book. If you’d like to contribute and inspire others to join in the movement, you can submit your images here: https://swachhbharat.mygov.in/sb-activities
The occasion of Prime Minister’s birthday on 17th September gave the campaign an unprecedented push and one saw renewed enthusiasm in the participation. The sincere efforts of the Government and the citizens to make this movement a roaring success is an example of the country’s determination to overcome this evil.
Here is a glimpse of the ongoing movement
