PM launches Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

Oct 2,  1:30 PM Prime Minister Narendra Modi today launched Swachh Bharat mission to make India clean by 2019, the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Mr Modi visited Valmiki Basti in New Delhi and swept streets in a symbolic start to the cleanliness drive. Before starting the drive, he offered prayers at Valmiki mandir and later visited the place where Mahatma Gandhi once stayed. The Prime Minister also made a surprise visit at Mandir Marg Police Station where he cleaned some section of its premises. On the last leg of launch of the programme, Mr Modi arrived at Rajpath and addressed a huge gathering. He exhorted citizens to realize Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of clean India. Mr Modi The Prime Minister asked people to change their mindsets as cleaning is not only the responsibility of safai karamcharis. The Prime Minister said Swachh Bharat mission is above politics as it is inspired by patriotism and not politics. He stressed on constructing more toilets saying it is a matter of concern seeing women defecate in the open. Mr Modi administered a cleanliness pledge to the people and later flagged off a walkathon as part of the campaign. Several Union ministers and heads of departments also administered cleanliness pledges to the officers and staff members in their office premises. AIR correspondent amidst thousands of people including school children, government officials and celebrities at sprawling lawns of Rajpath, the Prime Minister read a cleanliness pledge seeking their assurance to actively take part in the campaign. He invited nine well known figures, including cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, actors Aamir Khan, Salman Khan and Priyanka Chopra to join the cleanliness drive and requested each of them to draw nine more into the initiative. Mr. Modi’s clarion call for making India litter free had people enthusiastically giving it a thumbs-up. The Prime Minister urged tech-savvy netizens to bring to notice dirty places by uploading pictures and videos. He also asked people to use MyGov portal, as well as Facebook and Twitter to promote the nationwide mission.