New Delhi – In a remarkable display of unity, political leaders from diverse regions of India, including figures like JP Nadda and Meenakshi Lekhi, have enthusiastically embraced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for a nationwide cleanliness drive.
The leaders joined hands and actively participated in this drive for cleanliness, emphasizing its importance.
Prime Minister Modi, in a message posted on a social media platform (formerly Twitter), urged citizens to engage in the “Ek Tareekh, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath” campaign on October 1 at 10 am, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, a day marked as Gandhi Jayanti. This initiative is a significant facet of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission), aligning with Mahatma Gandhi’s vision for a cleaner India.
In his message, Prime Minister Modi stated, “On 1st October at 10 AM, we unite for a momentous cleanliness initiative. A Swachh Bharat is a shared responsibility, and every contribution is invaluable. Let us all join this noble endeavor to pave the way for a cleaner future.”
PM Modi further tweeted, “Today, as the nation focuses on Swachhata (cleanliness), Ankit Baiyanpuriya and I also participated! Beyond cleanliness, we incorporated fitness and well-being into the mix. It’s all about fostering a Swachh (clean) and Swasth (healthy) Bharat (India) vibe!”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah actively participated in the ‘Shramdaan for cleanliness’ program as part of the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla participated in the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign in Kota, Rajasthan.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde engaged in a cleanliness drive in Mumbai.
JP Nadda, the President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Meenakshi Lekhi, Union Minister of State for Culture, actively participated in a cleanliness campaign near Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi. Lekhi took the opportunity to critique the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, stating, “They have not addressed waste segregation issues. There is a noticeable lack of cleanliness on road dividers. Swachh Bharat is the collective responsibility of us all, and we should collaborate on this.”
Union Minister Raj K Singh also joined the ‘Clean India’ drive in Delhi, expressing the central government’s resolve to achieve cleanliness nationwide, despite the considerable challenge it presents.
Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar contributed to the campaign’s efforts at Safdarjung Railway Station in Delhi, emphasizing that cleanliness is not merely about aesthetics but also encompasses wellness and health.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis participated in a ‘Swachhata Abhiyan program’ in Mumbai, where, under the leadership of Prabhat Lodha, students from the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) and several NGOs undertook the cleaning of approximately 350 forts.
After participating in a cleanliness drive in Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow, BJP MP Dr. Dinesh remarked, “Swachhata (cleanliness) has become the symbol of our nation.”
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took part in the campaign in Sitapur.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw was involved in the cleanliness campaign in Gurugram, Haryana. He also highlighted the launch of a ’14-minute clean-up’ protocol for Vande Bharat trains, starting at 35 locations and expanding further.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan engaged in the campaign in Delhi, acknowledging that “the country is celebrating ‘Shramdaan for cleanliness’ today.”
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh also participated in the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign in Delhi, highlighting that it has evolved into a mass movement.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant underscored the extensive reach of the ‘Swachhata Abhiyan’ across Goa, emphasizing the involvement of every Gram Panchayat, municipality, and department in promoting cleanliness.
Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia joined the campaign in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, expressing that all 140 crore (1.4 billion) people of India are committed to fulfilling Mahatma Gandhi’s dream of cleanliness.
In an effort to mobilize the masses, India’s Union Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs and Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, urged citizens to actively participate in this cleanliness campaign.
Hardeep Singh Puri, partaking in the campaign in Delhi, lauded the innovative nature of mass participation in the initiative.
Jammu and Kashmir Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha flagged off a ‘Dal Lake’ cleaning drive as part of the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign in Srinagar.
Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia expressed that this campaign is a significant step in realizing Mahatma Gandhi’s vision and that all of India’s 140 crore people are committed to making it a success.
This campaign, in response to PM Modi’s call for cleanliness, is not merely a symbolic gesture but a concerted effort to enhance cleanliness and well-being across the nation.
(With inputs from ANI and PTI)