Prime Minister sweeps the premises of Baba Sahib Ambedkar Higher Secondary School in Paharganj, Delhi, as a part of Swachhata Hi Seva movement. (Photo/ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Swachhata Hi Sewa campaign, a fortnight-long cleanliness drive, on Saturday. Interacting with people from 18 locations across India via video conferencing highlighting the importance of a cleaner environment and discussed their contribution towards making India clean, PM Modi said that the contribution of India's 'Nari Shakti' (women power) in the Swachh Bharat Mission was immense. The prime minister spoke to groups of people from across the country besides several religious figures, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and personalities including Amitabh Bachchan and Ratan Tata through video-conference in which they shared details of their work for the Clean India Mission.
"The contribution of India's Nari Shakti (women power) in the Swachh Bharat (clean India) Mission is immense," Modi said while launching the Swachhata Hi Seva Movement.
"Youngsters are ambassadors of social change. The way they have furthered the message of cleanliness is commendable. The youth are at the forefront of a positive change in India," Modi said while interacting with the students of Assam via his NaMo App.
"The credit for the success of Swachhata Abhiyan goes to the people of this nation and not the government alone," he said, adding that over nine crore toilets have been built in last four years and over 4.5 lakh villages have been declared as open defecation free.
"Let us rededicate ourselves towards fulfilling Bapu's dream of a Clean India," PM Modi said. The Swachhata Hi Sewa will continue till October 2, the birth date of Mahatma Gandhi.
PM Modi said his government is working for "waste to wealth" and sought contributions from everybody. "The government alone cannot do it," he added.
WATCH VIDEO:
Highlights of PM Modi's interaction:
11:25 am:
11:10 am: The Indian Railways has done commendable work in furthering cleanliness, says PM Modi
10:59 am:
10:50 am: Earlier for UP, cleanliness was a distant dream. Prime Minister, your emphasis on cleanliness changed it all. After March 2017 the movement towards a Swachh Bharat got a boost in UP: CM Yogi Adityanath
10:45 am:
10:20 am: Swachh Bharat is not a movement of any Government or any Prime Minister. This is a nation's movement: Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev
10:18 am: Tremendous things have happened (on cleanliness) thanks to our Prime Minister. It is great that the Prime Minister is talking regularly about things like cleanliness: Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev
10:17 am: Level of enthusiasm towards Swachhata campaign is visible and I see this in my travels. The necessary impetus in this direction was needed, says Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev
10:15 am:
10:05 am: I firmly believe that the private sector has a big role to play in creating a clean India. Together, we shall all achieve the Swachh Bharat of Bapu's dreams: PM Modi
10:02 am: It is a great honour and privilege to help launch a movement which should be the dream of every citizen of India. To be a strong India, the foundation has to be strong and that foundation is the health of our people: Ratan Tata
10:01 am: The Tata Trusts are actively supporting the Swachh Bharat Mission and our support will continue in the years to come especially in bringing more technology in ensuring a clean India: Ratan Tata
10:00 am: Health of our people cannot be there without sanitation and cleanliness. We can reduce and eliminate several diseases if we support the Swachh Bharat Movement: Ratan Tata
09:59 am: I realised that what people should do is focus on ensuring their immediate surroundings are clean. We were involved with a Cleanathon. CM of Maharashtra and I went to hospitals with the message of Swachhata. I will continue working for a Swachh Bharat: Amitabh Bachchan
09:58 am: I found television to be an effective way to spread the message of cleanliness: Amitabh Bachchan tells PM Modi
09:54 am: Four years ago, you introduced the nation to the Swachh Bharat Mission. I too decided to get involved as a citizen of India. I have been associated with various cleanliness campaigns including the campaign to clean a beach in Mumbai: Amitabh Bachchan tells PM Modi
09:52 am: Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan and industrialist Ratan Tata sharing their experience regarding their involvement in Clean India Mission
09:51 am: I appeal to the cooperative sector to continue their efforts in furthering cleanliness: PM Modi
09:46 am: Youngsters are ambassadors of social change. The way they have furthered the message of cleanliness is commendable. The youth are at the forefront of a positive change in India, PM Modi says on the launch of Swachhata Hi Sewa campaign.
09:44 am: The contribution of India's Nari Shakti in the Swachh Bharat Mission is immense, says PM Modi
09:41 am:
09:40 am: India can not become clean just by building toilets. Proper waste management, construction of toilets all these steps would lead to a Clean India: PM Modi
09:35 am: From today till October 2, which is Gandhi Jayanti, let us rededicate ourselves towards fulfilling Bapu's dream of a Clean India: PM Modi
09:32 am: Today is a historic day. We are here to repeat our pledge of Swachhata Hi Sewa, says PM Modi
The objective of the campaign is to mobilise people and reinforce the public movement for sanitation to contribute to Mahatma Gandhi's dream of a Clean India.
The campaign will accelerate the momentum of Swachh Bharat in the run-up to its fourth anniversary on October 2.
The rural sanitation coverage has reached over 92 per cent from 39 per cent in October 2014, when Swachh Bharat Mission was launched. Nineteen States and Union Territories have been declared Open Defecation Free so far.
A series of activities including Swachhata Sabhas, Seva Diwas, Railways Swachhata Divas, Antyodaya Divas will take place across the country. Mass Swachhata rally will be organised by school children during the 15-day long event.
The Swachhata Hi Sewa Campaign will culminate with Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention to be held in New Delhi from September 29 to October 2.
