President commends PM's call for a clean India

In his address to the nation for the 68th Independence Day, President Pranab Mukherjee commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call to make India a clean country.

He said, "The Prime Minister's call to honour the memory of Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary, by making India a clean country by 2019 is commendable, but it can be achieved only if each Indian converts this into a national mission."

Stressing on the need for a clean environment, he said, "Clean environment breeds clean thoughts."

Quoting ancient travelers like Megasthenes in the 4th century BC, Fa Hien in the 5th century AD and Hiuen Tsang in the 7th century AD, President Mukherjee also lamented the current scenario of the environment in India.

He said, "Ancient travelers, when they came to India, have written about the efficient administrative systems, with planned settlements and good urban infrastructure. What has gone wrong with us now? Why can't we keep our environment free of filth?"

He also stated that we, as citizens must look after nature, "so that nature continues to nurture us.