Live: PM Modi launches ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ – a movement for a Cleaner India

New Delhi:Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched nationwide ‘Swachhta hi Seva’ campaign and urged people to rededicate themselves to fulfill Bapu’s dream of Clean India.

On the launch of the campaign, the Prime Minister, interacting with a cross-section of people from 18 locations across the country, via video conferencing, said, ‘Swachhata Hi Seva Movement’ commences today. This is a historic mass movement to strengthen the efforts to fulfill Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of a clean India.’
The fortnight-long ‘Swachhata hi Seva’ movement will continue till October 2, the birth anniversary of Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi.

‘From today till October 2, which is Gandhi Jayanti, let us rededicate ourselves towards fulfilling Bapu’s dream of a Clean India,’ Mr Modi said.

The PM said that the Swachhata movement that started four years ago has now reached a crucial stage.
‘We can proudly say that every section of society, every companion, people of all ages have become associated with this campaign. No part of the country has been left untouched by this campaign,’ Mr Modi said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the city’s Baba Sahib Ambedkar Higher Secondary School in Paharganj and took up a broom to clean the surroundings.

As part of his ‘shram daan’ or voluntary work, he cleaned the school surroundings with a broom.

Wearing a pale pink half-sleeve kurta, Modi was seen picking up pieces of paper and disposable plastic glasses with his hands.

He also used a shovel to gather the garbage at one place.

After reaching the school, he paid floral tributes at a statue of B R Ambedkar.

He was seen interacting with some students, apparently giving them a talk on the importance of cleanliness.

The prime minister later tweeted, “With enthusiastic young friends at the Baba Sahib Ambedkar Secondary School in Delhi. It is India’s youth that have led from the front and ushered in a positive change when it comes to cleanliness.”

Earlier, he interacted with people via a video link to launch “Swachhata Hi Seva” movement, a fortnight-long event.

The ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ movement aims at generating greater public participation towards Swachhta (cleanliness) and is being organised in the run-up to the fourth anniversary of the Swachh Bharat Mission, on October 2 2018, which will also mark the commencement of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi.

The Prime Minister’s Office said no special traffic arrangements were made for the movement of the prime minister and that he reached the venue in usual traffic conditions.

Baba Sahib Ambedkar School near Ambedkar Bhawan on Jhansi Rani Road, Paharganj, is a higher secondary school affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education.

The school has been operating under a trust named as Delhi Schedule Caste Welfare Association registered under Society Registration Act. The Society has been registered on June 17, 1946.

The campus was bought by Dr B. R Ambedkar himself in 1946 with an aim to advance the educational, social and economic wellbeing of scheduled castes.

DeshGujarat