NEW DELHI: After almost a week-long cleanliness drive in central government offices led by Cabinet ministers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will wield a broom on Thursday to launch the country's biggest ever cleanliness drive " Swachh Bharat Abhiyan" from Rajpath. At least 30 lakh central government employees working across the country and hundreds of school and college students will take the pledge of cleanliness at different functions.
Modi has set the ambitious target of complete sanitation in the next five years which includes getting rid of open defecation and smart management of both solid and liquid waste across the country.
There are also reports of the campaign being launched across states where NDA is not in power to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.
READ ALSO: Babus grumble as Swachh Bharat robs them of their holiday
All you should know about 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan'
Hectic preparations were on across central government departments as pandals were being put up in most of the office compounds and dozens of brooms, T-shirts and caps with Swachh Bharat logo were being procured. Some of the secretary level officers TOI talked to said that participation of all employees in this massive campaign will have its impact on the society as whole.
"It is important to involve government and public sector officials at every level, non-government organisations, education and health institutions, rural and urban local bodies, self-help groups, youth organisations, resident and market associations as well as business and industrial chambers and associations in the cleanliness and awareness drives," cabinet secretary Ajit Seth had written recently to all departments and ministries.
Government officials associated with the planning of this massive campaign said that PM intends to involve every citizen in the task of cleanliness and therefore all organizations, trade associations and religious bodies have been approached to make it a big success.
"It is a big task. We are appealing to all stake holders to achieve this goal. This will not only improve image of India internationally but also transform the country," urban development minister Venkaiah Naidu told industry representatives at a function in the capital on Wednesday. He said "sanitation and cleanliness" should be a part of school curriculums so that the young generation is better sensitized to the issue.
Construction of household toilets has been identified as one of the major focus area since 53% households in the country don't have toilet facilities, according to 2011 Census. The situation is far worse in rural areas where 69.3% rural homes have no such facility. Over 78% of rural households in states like Jharkhand, Bihar, Rajasthan, Odisha and Chhattisgarh don't have toilets.
Modi has reiterated that a "clean India" will be the best tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary in 2019.
Modi has set the ambitious target of complete sanitation in the next five years which includes getting rid of open defecation and smart management of both solid and liquid waste across the country.
There are also reports of the campaign being launched across states where NDA is not in power to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.
READ ALSO: Babus grumble as Swachh Bharat robs them of their holiday
All you should know about 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan'
Hectic preparations were on across central government departments as pandals were being put up in most of the office compounds and dozens of brooms, T-shirts and caps with Swachh Bharat logo were being procured. Some of the secretary level officers TOI talked to said that participation of all employees in this massive campaign will have its impact on the society as whole.
"It is important to involve government and public sector officials at every level, non-government organisations, education and health institutions, rural and urban local bodies, self-help groups, youth organisations, resident and market associations as well as business and industrial chambers and associations in the cleanliness and awareness drives," cabinet secretary Ajit Seth had written recently to all departments and ministries.
Government officials associated with the planning of this massive campaign said that PM intends to involve every citizen in the task of cleanliness and therefore all organizations, trade associations and religious bodies have been approached to make it a big success.
"It is a big task. We are appealing to all stake holders to achieve this goal. This will not only improve image of India internationally but also transform the country," urban development minister Venkaiah Naidu told industry representatives at a function in the capital on Wednesday. He said "sanitation and cleanliness" should be a part of school curriculums so that the young generation is better sensitized to the issue.
Construction of household toilets has been identified as one of the major focus area since 53% households in the country don't have toilet facilities, according to 2011 Census. The situation is far worse in rural areas where 69.3% rural homes have no such facility. Over 78% of rural households in states like Jharkhand, Bihar, Rajasthan, Odisha and Chhattisgarh don't have toilets.
Modi has reiterated that a "clean India" will be the best tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary in 2019.
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