Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva 2024’ campaign on Wednesday, aligning the event with the 155th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
This celebration marks a milestone in India’s commitment to cleanliness, commemorating ten years since the launch of the Swachh Bharat Mission.
During the event, PM Modi announced a substantial investment of over Rs 90,600 crore in various sanitation projects, including significant initiatives under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT), the National Mission for Clean Ganga, and the GOBARdhan Scheme, which focuses on biogas plant development.
The theme for this year’s initiative, ‘Swabhav Swachhata, Sanskaar Swachhata,’ underscores a renewed national dedication to hygiene, public health, and sustainable practices.
PM Modi emphasized the importance of this theme in his address, highlighting how it resonates with the values advocated by Gandhi.
Paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri, the Prime Minister remarked, “The dream of India that Gandhiji and other prominent figures of the country envisioned motivates us to fulfil that dream today.”
He expressed gratitude to citizens, sanitation workers, and community leaders who have embraced the mission, transforming it into a widespread movement.
The Prime Minister reflected on the extensive reach of the recent ‘Seva Pakhwada,’ which recorded participation from over 28 crore individuals in more than 27 lakh events.
This participation showcases the mission’s impact at a grassroots level, emphasizing the collective effort towards sanitation.
“Cleanliness is a shared responsibility,” PM Modi stated, recalling how discussions around hygiene and sanitation have been integral to his radio program, ‘Mann Ki Baat.’
He further noted the valuable input received from citizens, sharing, “In Mann Ki Baat, I talked about cleanliness almost 800 times. People send letters and suggestions for cleanliness and hygiene.”
Critically, the Prime Minister addressed the past negligence of sanitation issues by previous leaders, asserting that while Gandhi championed cleanliness during India’s struggle for independence, many followers have overlooked its significance.
He pointed out the adverse effects of inadequate sanitation on women and children, reaffirming the mission’s success in addressing these disparities.
As the nation celebrates a decade of advancements in sanitation, the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva 2024’ initiative aims to propel the cleanliness drive further.
Local governments, women’s organizations, youth groups, and community leaders are called to participate actively in this ongoing effort.
The campaign has achieved notable success by implementing over 19 lakh programs that engage more than 17 crore people. Additionally, nearly one lakh Safai Mitra Suraksha Shivir camps organized, benefiting over 30 lakh Safai Mitras.
The initiative has also seen the planting of more than 45 lakh trees under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, solidifying the commitment to both cleanliness and environmental sustainability.
As India moves forward, PM Modi’s leadership in the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva 2024’ is a reminder of the collective power of the people in achieving a cleaner, healthier nation.
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