New Delhi: Nine years ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a clarion call for Swachhata in 2014. Citizens from all walks of life reciprocated with immense enthusiasm taking ownership of Swachh Bharat. As a result, swachhata became a national behaviour and Swachh Bharat Mission became a household name.
As a run-up to Gandhi Jayanti, a unique call to action has been given by the Prime Minister to fellow citizens. On the 105th episode of Mann Ki Baat, the Prime Minister appealed for an hour of shramdaan for swachhata by all citizens collectively from 10.00 a.m. on October 1 as ‘swachhanjali’ to Bapu on the eve of his Jayanti. Speaking on Swachhata Hi Sevaabhiyan, he said, “A big event on cleanliness is going to be organised on October 1, i.e. Sunday, at 10.00 am. You too should take your time out and help in this campaign related to cleanliness. You can also join this cleanliness campaign in your street or neighbourhood…or at a park, river, lake or any other public place.”
This mega cleanliness drive calls upon citizens from all walks of life to join in actual cleaning activities of public places like market spaces; railway tracks water bodies, tourist locations, religious places etc. In every town, Gram Panchayat, all sectors of the government like civil aviation, railways, information and technology etc., public institutions will be facilitating cleanliness events led by the citizens. NGO/ RWA/ private organisation and others interested in organising cleaning events can also apply online on the portal to the ULB/ district administration. The cleanliness events will be available for public information on an especially-designed IT platform ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ – citizens’ portal https://swachhatahiseva.com/.
At the site of cleanliness, citizens can click pictures and upload them on the portal too. The portal also hosts a section inviting citizens and influencers to join the andolan and lead the people’s movement by becoming Swachhata Ambassadors.
This mega cleanliness drive is part of the Swachhata Pakhwada – Swachhata Hi Seva 2023, being observed from September 15 to October 2. Citizens are engaging in various cleanliness activities like restoration of old buildings, cleaning of water bodies, and ghats, painting walls, conducting nukkad nataks, and rangoli competitions. Since the launch of the pakhwada, over five crore citizens have joined the campaign fortnight so far.
