'Swachhta Hi Seva' 2018 Becomes a Mass Movement
Swachhta Hi Seva, a 15 day cleanliness campaign from 15 September to October 2, 2018, launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, got an overwhelming response from every section of the society. People from different walks of life, whether it is from sports world, academicians, schools, colleges, universities, farmers, workers, officers, government employees, police, or army jawans all came forward to contribute to fulfill the dream of Mahatma Gandhi to have Swachh Bharat. Various Ministries and Government Departments undertook cleanliness drive, shramdan and other activities during the fortnight.
During the Swachhta Hi Seva campaign, Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting Col. Rajyawardhan Singh Rathore offered shramdaan at a village in Rajasthan.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) organized a 'Swachhta Hi Seva' programme at the Ministry premises. Speaking on the occasion, Director General (Forests) and Special Secretary, MoEF&CC, Mr. Siddhanta Das said that the role of children in Swachhta campaign is crucial. He added that the Ministry has initiated efforts to make all the Protected Areas (PAs) in the country plastic-free and clean. He emphasized the need to plant more and more trees and reduce single use plastic to enable the environment to cleanse itself. A pledge was administered to the school children. A 'Green March' by the students was also flagged off on the occasion. About 200 students from Eco-Clubs of schools in Delhi, senior officers and officials of MoEF & CC were among those present in the gathering.
The Ministry of Tourism organized the 'Swachhta Hi Seva' campaign at various important tourist sites across the country from 15th September to 2nd October 2018. On these days, cleanliness and awareness activities were conducted through Regional offices of the Tourism Ministry with active participation from local communities, Institutes of the Ministry, State Governments and Stakeholders. The campaigns were popularized at 47 tourism sites in the country including all tourism Iconic sites.
Union Minister of Textiles, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani participated in a cleanliness drive under the Swachhta Hi Sewa campaign in the neighbourhood of Okhla industrial area in the national capital. The programme was organised by the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) to spread awareness on the importance of cleanliness.
Ministry of Railways celebrated 'Swachhta Hi Sewa Abhiyaan' across its entire network including all Zones, Divisions, Production Units & Workshops and Railway PSUs from 15th September to 2nd October 2018 to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the Nation.
The Pakhwada commenced with the administration of Swachhta pledge to all Railway personnel across its entire network including all Zones, Divisions, Production Units & Workshops and Railways PSUs. Thereafter, Railway Personnel watched the live telecast of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's interaction with the Swachagrahis. The Prime Minister also interacted with the Railway employees at Rewari workshop through video conferencing and appreciated the efforts made by Railway personnel towards cleanliness.
On this occasion, Union Minister of Railways & Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal launched Swachhta- Hi- Sewa Pakhwada at Old Delhi Railway Station by administering the Swachhta pledge to the Railway officials, staff and others present on the occasion. He also participated in Shramdan at the venue.
Under the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign (15th September to 2nd October), the Union Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Sushri Uma Bharati, addressed a gathering at Raiwala, Uttarakhand. The gathering comprised nearly 500 locals, including a large number of women. After the address, a swachhatashramdaan was organised at the Raiwala railway station.