Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary and participated in a cleanliness drive with school students. Modi applauded the efforts of the fellow citizens and thanked the whole nation for making cleanliness a 'Jan Andolan'.
While addressing an event in New Delhi, Modi said that such efforts from the nation will take the mission to a new height and emphasised on the importance of cleanliness in our daily lives. At the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva 2024’ program at Vigyan Bhawan, Modi said, “In the last 10 years, crores of Indians have made this mission their personal goal. After this journey of a decade, I appreciate the contribution of all countrymen, the cleanliness workers, religious leaders, our players, celebrities, NGOs, and media persons. You all made the Swachh Bharat Mission a people’s revolution.”
“The President, Vice President, former President, and former Vice President participated and contributed to ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’. Chief ministers of all states and public representatives also contributed to the cleanliness drive. In the 15 days of'seva pakhwada’, more than 27 lakh events were held, in which more than 28 crore people participated,” he added.
Earlier, PM Modi visited the Raj Ghat and paid respects to Mahatma Gandhi. PM Modi said, “On behalf of all countrymen, salutations to Pujya Bapu on his birth anniversary. His life and ideals based on truth, harmony, and equality will always remain an inspiration for the countrymen.” He also paid homage to former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri on his birth anniversary.
10 years of 'Swachh Bharat' campaign
Since 2014, October 2 is celebrated as the Swachh Bharat Diwas. The campaign was launched on October 2, as Mahatma Gandhi emphasised on cleanliness during his lifetime. As the campaign completes 10 years of its launch, Jal Shakti Minister C R Patil claimed that no child in India died because of the infections related to open defections as the center government built more than 11 crore toilets since 2014.