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    Spreading cleanliness should be a collective effort: PM

    Synopsis

    Swachh Bharat Mission was launched in 2014. It emphasised on active participation by people, broom was made as an instrument to kickstart the swachh mission campaign.

    pm modi fff
    NEW DELHI: Describing the Swachh Bharat Mission — which was launched three years ago amid wide criticism — as a social movement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underlined that just as Swaraj was achieved by satyagrahis, cleanliness would become a reality through “swachhagrahis” (those who work for cleanliness).

    Speaking on the third anniversary of the mission launched in 2014 on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary, Modi said when he had announced the mission, it was viewed with cynicism and many even charged him with holding the programme on a public holiday.

    “Even if 1,0 00 Mahatma Gandhis or one lakh Narendra Modis or all chief ministers and all governments join hands, the dream of cleanliness cannot be achieved. But this can be achieved if 125-crore people of this country join hands,” Modi said, calling for “jan bhagidari” (public participation) to make Swachh Bharat a success.

    “If Swaraj was achieved by the satyagrahis, shrestha (great) Bharat would be achieved by the swachhagrahis (those who work for cleanliness),” Modi said. He said the ranking of cities on “swachhata” (cleanl iness) has brought about a positive and competitive atmosphere. “ S wa ch h a t a needs a revolution of ideas as well; and competition gives a platform to the concept of swachhata,” the PM said.

    Prime Minister Modi asked people not to be fazed by challenges and work towards achieving a Swachh Bharat and make the “swachhata abhiyan” (cleanliness drive) a success. The government had launched a “swachhata hi sewa” programme on September 17, PM Modi’s birthday, and this culminated on Monday along with the third anniversary celebrations.


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    ( Originally published on Oct 02, 2017 )
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    Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online.

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