PM Modi Leads Nationwide Cleanliness Drive Promoting Well-being and Fitness

01-10-2023 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi spearheaded a nationwide cleanliness drive on Sunday, emphasizing the fusion of fitness, well-being, and cleanliness. Thousands of participants engaged in an hour-long “shramdaan” (voluntary labor) across the country, with PM Modi actively participating alongside fitness influencer Ankit Baiyanpuriya.

In a 4-minute video shared on his official social media account, Modi expressed, “Today, as the nation focuses on Swachhata, Ankit Baiyanpuriya and I did the same! Beyond just cleanliness, we blended fitness and well-being also into the mix. It is all about that Swachh and Swasth Bharat vibe!”

People from various backgrounds, including politicians and students, took up brooms and joined the ‘Swachhata hi Seva’ campaign in response to the Prime Minister’s call for a cleanliness drive. The Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry reported that over 9.20 lakh sites across the country were adopted for this massive initiative.

In a recent episode of “Mann Ki Baat,” Modi had urged all citizens to dedicate “one hour of shramdaan for swachhata” on October 1, as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on the eve of his birth anniversary.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah wielded a broom and participated in a cleanliness drive in Ahmedabad, while BJP chief JP Nadda took part in the drive in Delhi’s Jhandewalan area. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath participated in the ‘Swachhata Pakhwada’ cleanliness drive in Sitapur.

Union Power Minister RK Singh, who joined the “shramdaan,” emphasized the government’s resolve to make the country clean, acknowledging the challenge but expressing determination to achieve it. Union ministers and BJP leaders across the nation also engaged in the ‘Swachhata hi Seva’ campaign.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel was part of a cleanliness drive in Ahmedabad, and BJP MP Dinesh Sharma noted that “swachhata (cleanliness)” has become the face of the country.

Today, as the nation focuses on Swachhata, Ankit Baiyanpuriya and I did the same! Beyond just cleanliness, we blended fitness and well-being also into the mix. It is all about that Swachh and Swasth Bharat vibe! @baiyanpuria pic.twitter.com/gwn1SgdR2C

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 1, 2023

Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari volunteered for a cleanliness activity in New Delhi, while the Municipal Corporation of Delhi organized cleanliness drives at 500 locations across the national capital.

Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri encouraged people to join the drive, saying, “Come, let’s create a new history! At 10 am today, let’s volunteer for an hour, paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi through cleanliness.” He also urged people to scan or visit local cleanliness programs to participate.

Renowned cricketers such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma appealed to the public to unite for “Ek Tareekh, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath” (One Date, One Hour, Together) and join the largest citizen-led movement to reinforce the commitment to cleanliness.

BJP MP Meenakashi Lekhi expressed hope that people would remain connected to the Swachh Bharat Mission initiated by PM Modi. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who participated in ‘Swachhata Pakhwada’ in Lucknow, urged everyone to take part in the drive.

The Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry reported that NGOs, market associations, self-help groups, faith groups, trade bodies, and private sector companies, among others, volunteered for “shramdaan” at more than 22,000 market areas, 10,000 water bodies, 7,000 bus stands/toll plazas, 1,000 gaushalas (cow shelters), 300 zoos and wildlife areas, and various other locations in rural and urban India.

Among the states, Uttar Pradesh adopted over a lakh sites for cleanliness drives, while Maharashtra planned programs in over 62,000 locations, including beaches, religious sites, schools, colleges, and water bodies. In Telangana, temples of historical significance were cleaned during the drive.