Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday devised another moniker for a cleanliness drive ahead of the Gandhi Jayanti - 'Swachhta Hi Sewa' (Cleanliness is Service).
He said that 'Swachhta Hi Sewa' should be kick-started at least 15-20 days prior to the Gandhi Jayanti on October 2 on the lines of the age-old belief 'Jal Seva Yahi Prabhu Seva' (Service to Water is Service of God).
"I urge all NGOs, schools, colleges, social, cultural, and political leaders, people in the government, collectors, and sarpanches, to begin creating an environment of cleanliness at least fifteen days ahead of Gandhi Jayanti, so that it realises Gandhi's dream," he said.
The Prime Minister further said that the campaign of cleanliness which was initiated three years ago will be making its third anniversary on the 2nd of October, asserting that the number of toilets has increased from 39 per cent to almost 67 per cent and more than 2 lakh 30 thousand villages have become Open-Defecation Free (ODF).
"The campaign of cleanliness which was started three years ago will be making its third anniversary on October 2. The number of toilets has increased from 39 per cent to almost 67 per cent. More than 2 lakh 30 thousand villages have become ODF. The initiative which started three years ago can now see the positive signs," Prime Minister Modi said while delivering the 35th edition of his monthly radio address - 'Mann ki Baat'.
Prime Minister Modi also announced that the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation has organised a competition 'Swachh Sankalp se Swachh Siddhi' like essay writing in any language, painting, and short film making competition. Any person of any age limit can participate in this. The prize will be distributed to best three from district and state level each.
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The Prime Minister further appealed everyone to clean their nearby surroundings to celebrate this cleanliness drive as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.
"I appeal everyone to clean their nearby surroundings to celebrate this abhiyaan. Celebrating the swachhta abhiyan is a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi," he said.
Prime Minister Modi also wished the nation on festivals like Eid-ul-Zuha, Samvatsar Parva, Onam and said that festivals are the course symbol of faith and beliefs in the New India and we should transform them into symbols of cleanliness as well.
He further said that the eco-friendly Ganpati, in this Ganesh Chaturthi, has turned into a huge campaign. Many people are getting inspired by this and happy to see that people are following this to protect their environment and to keep it clean.
He also praised the volunteers of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind who cleaned 22 temples and two mosques which were affected by flood in Gujarat's Dhanera.
"When the water receded there was a lot of filth, the volunteers of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, who cleaned 22 temples and two mosques which were affected by flood in Gujarat's Dhanera. They came together and toiled collectively. It is an inspiring example of unity with diversity," he added.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi touched upon a variety of topics in his 'Mann ki Baat' address, including terrorism, violence, and education among others.