Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the ‘Swachch Bharat Mission’ to kickstart a cleanliness drive campaign across the nation. The main objective of this campaign is to realise Mahatma Gandhi’s mission of clean surroundings. He had asked every citizen of the country to participate in this movement and make it a big success. The PM himself had taken a broom to sweep the pavement at Valmiki Basti in New Delhi. He made a surprise visit to the local police station to check its cleanliness.
Modi added that even though India has gained freedom under the leadership of Gandhiji, but his dream of clean India continues to remain unfulfilled. He said that Swachch Bharat Abhiyaan is a social campaign and there is no political agenda behind it. He has roped in various personalities like Goa Governor Mridula Sinha, master blaster Sachin Tendulkar, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, Bollywood actor Aamir Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Salman Khan, Yoga guru Ramdev baba and a team of Tarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chashmah to take the campaign forward.
Ever since the campaign has been launched it has received tremendous response from citizens and celebrities. Citizens have started cleaning their vicinity and appealing to people to refrain from littering the area. Children too are being asked to dispose waste in dust bins. There is some improvement in cleanliness of the railway stations. Railways have also posted messages appealing citizens to maintain cleanliness and stop throwing waste on platforms and railway tracks. They have introduced a penalty of Rs 500 to those commuters who are found violating the norms.
Modi has said that it is not only the responsibility of safaai kamgar to clean the vicinity but citizens too should play a proactive role. He added that if Indians can reach Mars at cheap cost why can’t we clean our neighbourhoods? He also lauded the work of the previous government in maintaining cleanliness in the country.
The PM asked people to take pictures of areas where they saw garbage, then clean the area and take pictures of it. He asked people to upload these images on social media using MyGov, a mobile application. He further flagged off a walkathon as part of the Swachh Bharat Campaign. Even celebrities too are actively participating in this campaign. Actors like Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra, Aamir Khan and Sachin Tendulkar took broom in their hands to clean some areas of the city. Anil Ambani cleaned a part of the street outside Churchgate station and nominated Amitabh Bachchan, Mary Kom and Nagarjuna, among others, to take up the challenge. Sachin Tendulkar asked more people to participate in the campaign. Even Salman Khan had joined this campaign.
Even though Modi may have started the cleanliness campaign with much fanfare the initiative must continue. There must be some mechanism to monitor about what work has been undertaken by people to clean their neighbourhood. Sustained efforts from citizens are required to maintain hygiene. Municipality and ward officials too have a vital role to play to make this drive successful otherwise it will just remain a photo-op.
