Spreading cleanliness should be a collective effort: PM

PM Modi spoke at the 3rd anniversary of Swachh Bharat Mission mentioning how his government had to overcome all the difficulties to make the the swachh mission campaign a success. He said that taking the initiative towards clean India was a major challenge. It is a collective work and when everyone participates equally, it can easily manifest itself. Central and state governments cannot be solely entrusted with the cleanliness mission.

Today, after three three years the scenario has changed. Cities are getting ranked for their cleanliness drive. This has resulted in an active participation from members of the civil society. He went on to say that little children are my biggest mascot for the mission. They have understood the mission of this project and are making big contributions everyday.

He also appreciated the role of the media in spreading awareness towards the the “Clean India Mission”. He said that media’s efforts has led to the partial fulfillment of this goal. Positive competitive environment created due to media’s sustained efforts has resulted in this change.

PM Modi also said that India faces challenges but that does not mean we run away from them. We will face them and work to overcome them through continued efforts.

Swachh Bharat Mission was launched in 2014. It emphasised on active participation by people both at the centre state level. The broom was made as an instrument to kickstart the swachh mission campaign. Today also marks the conclusion of ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ fortnight.

Other ministers present at the ceremony were Hardeep Singh Puri, Uma Bharti and SS Ahluwalia.

SS Ahluwalia spoke about the construction of toilets. He also spoke on how the government intends to make India an open defecation free country by 2019, which will also mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Hardeep Singh Puri spoke on how a combined effort from all the communities lead to the partial fulfillment of the swachh mission programme. He also said that cleanliness is our duty and right. We all should strive towards that.

Uma Bharati said that today the cleanliness mission completed three yeras. She aslo evoked Gandhian principles which emphasised on cleanliness and a drive towards making India free from open defecation. She referred to Shashtri’s term of Jai Jawan Jai Kisan. She spoke about the incidences of death from manholes. She said cleanliness is a culture and people should adopt this culture. She said that it is imperative for the government to provide conditions that will make India.

PM Modi also confered awards awards to contributors from all over the country. The awards were given for their efforts in spreading the message of clean India through essays, films and poetry.

The felicitation was given under seven categories for their significant contribution towards furthering the Clean India objective in urban areas, said a Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry statement.