Naidu quotes Gandhiji to highlight importance of sanitation

Mahatma Gandhi's message that sanitation is more important than political independence was still relevant and showed the importance of the issue, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said here today.
"Our tradition is unity in diversity. We are one nation, one people and one world. That should be our path. More than a century ago, Mahatma Gandhi had given a powerful message that sanitation is more important than political independence and that cleanliness is next to Godliness which are still relevant and show the importance of this issue.
"Today, we need to protect this great 'sanskriti' (culture) of our country which is to serve and give to others before oneself -- his life was his message," Naidu said at the Gandhi Ashram here.

Naidu was speaking at an event jointly organised by the Harijan Sevak Sangh, founded by Mahatma Gandhi, and the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance.
A collective pledge for taking Mahatma Gandhi's vision for a clean India into mission mode was taken at the event.