Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke about the importance of cleanliness as a part of our daily lives. While highlighting the efforts of environmental activists across India, Modi praised Rahul Maharana of Puri, whose crusade against plastics has inspired many.
Modi was addressing the Nation through Mann Ki Baat, on the 87th edition of the radio programme on Sunday. Modi said, Swachhagrahi Rahul Maharana of Puri goes to the pilgrimage sites in Puri early in the morning every Sunday, and clears the plastic garbage there.
“He has cleaned hundreds of kilos of plastic garbage and dirt so far,” the PM added.
“Health is directly related to cleanliness. In ‘Mann Ki Baat’, we always mention the efforts of the proponents of cleanliness. One such Swachhagrahi is Chandrakishore Patil ji. He lives in Nashik, Maharashtra. Chandrakishore ji’s resolve regarding cleanliness is very heartfelt,” said Modi.
He stands by the Godavari river, and constantly encourages people not to throw garbage in the river. If he sees someone doing this, he immediately stops them. Chandrakishore invests a lot of his time in this endeavour.
“By evening, he has a pile of such things, which people have brought to throw into the river. This effort of Chandrakishore ji also raises awareness and is also inspiring.”
“Be it Rahul of Puri or Chandrakishore of Nashik, they teach us a lot. As citizens, we must carry out our duties, whether it is cleanliness, nutrition or vaccination… all these efforts also help us in staying healthy,” the PM said.
