Nationwide Fortnight Cleanliness Campaign 'SwacHhta Hi Seva' Concludes; Prime Minister Narendra Modi Calls upon Nation to Continue the Momentum Built by the Movement

The cleanliness campaign 'Swachhta Hi Seva' which started on September 15 concluded on October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, with large-scale mobilization of people from all walks of life. Many programmes were held across the country to mark the successful conclusion of the sanitation drive. The day also marked the 3rd anniversary of the launch of Swachh Bharat Mission. On this ocassion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave away the Swachh Bharat National Awards at a ceremony organised by Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (MDWS) in New Delhi. Awards were given to winners of essay, film and painting competitions organised as part of Swachh Sankalp se Swachh Siddhi.  In his address, the Prime Minister congratulated all those who supported and took part in the Swachhta Hi Seva campaign. He termed it as a beginning and called upon the nation to continue the momentum built by the movement. He said, Swachhta cannot be realized even if all political leaders in history came together for it - it can only be realized when 125 crore Indians come together for it. He said that the successes achieved in the Mission so far have not been an accomplishment of the government, but of the people of India who have made this dream of a Swachh Bharat their own. He said that until each and every household that has a toilet realizes that
Swachhta is their responsibility as well, the vision of a Swachh Bharat cannot be realized. To this end, he said that children and youth are the best ambassadors.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism also observed Swachhta Pakhwada during the same period, from 16th September to 2nd October. Addressing media persons at a press conference in New Delhi on 4th October, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism,  Alphons Kannanthanam, said that the fortnight campaign was observed  by organizing various cleanliness activities and programmes at the premises of its offices, educational institutions and prominent tourist places. Besides, major clean-up activities, pledge swearing, awareness activities, essay competition, nuked natak etc were organised during the campaign. The Minister said that his Ministry, in close collaboration with Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), has envisaged developing heritage sites and making them tourist friendly to enhance their tourism potential and cultural importance, in a planned and phased manner.  Accordingly, on World Tourism Day celebrated on 27th September, 2017 launched "Adopt a Heritage" with the aim to encourage industry and other stakeholders to take up responsibility for making our heritage and tourism more sustainable through conservation and development of our cultural and natural heritage sites.  The project focuses on providing basic amenities that include cleanliness, public conveniences, drinking water, ease of access for tourists, signage etc. and advanced amenities like cafeteria, surveillance system, tourist facilitation centre, illumination etc., in and around the heritage sites and monuments.
PIB