PM marks 10th anniversary of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan with cleanliness drive

New Delhi, Oct 2: On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took part in a cleanliness drive with schoolchildren in Delhi, marking the 10th anniversary of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of continued public participation in cleanliness initiatives and urged citizens to engage in Swachhta-related activities to strengthen the Swachh Bharat Mission.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Modi wrote: “Today, on Gandhi Jayanti, I took part in Swachhata-related activities with my young friends. I urge you all to also take part in some or the other such activity during the day and at the same time, keep strengthening the Swachh Bharat Mission. #10YearsOfSwachhBharat”

Global Leaders Congratulate Modi on Swachh Bharat Success

Global leaders lauded the achievements of the Swachh Bharat Mission over the last decade. The Prime Minister shared congratulatory messages from Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, and Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank. Both praised the initiative’s role in improving sanitation and public health across India.

Dr Tedros highlighted how the mission has made significant strides towards achieving sustainable development goals, while Ajay Banga acknowledged its transformation of India through improved sanitation under Modi’s leadership. Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, also commended the initiative, calling its impact on sanitation health “amazing.”

Launch of Sanitation and Cleanliness Projects Worth Rs 9,600 Crore

During the event, Prime Minister Modi launched several sanitation projects worth over Rs 9,600 crore, including initiatives under AMRUT, AMRUT 2.0, and the National Mission for Clean Ganga. Projects aimed at urban water and sewage management, as well as waste management under the GOBARdhan Scheme, were also inaugurated. These efforts are expected to further propel India towards its cleanliness goals, with a strong focus on sustainability and environmental preservation.

The Prime Minister underscored the achievements of the Swachh Bharat Mission, crediting it as “this century’s biggest and most successful people’s movement.” He expressed gratitude to various stakeholders, including safaimitras, religious leaders, athletes, celebrities, and NGOs, for transforming the initiative into a national movement.

A Decade of Transformation: 12 Crore Toilets Built, 28 Crore People Participated

Reflecting on the decade-long journey, Modi noted that more than 12 crore toilets had been built across India, with toilet coverage expanding from less than 40% to 100%. The campaign has resulted in some health benefits, with studies indicating that the mission has saved up to 70,000 children’s lives annually by improving sanitation.

Modi also emphasised the reduction in dropout rates among girls due to the construction of separate toilets in schools, and the economic benefits experienced by rural families, who save an estimated Rs 50,000 annually on healthcare due to improved sanitation.

Moving Forward: Swachh Bharat as a People’s Movement

The Prime Minister reiterated his commitment to making India a cleaner nation and called for continued participation from citizens. He highlighted how the Swachh Bharat Mission has spurred employment opportunities in sectors like waste management and sanitation, with projections of 65 lakh new jobs in the coming years.

Modi concluded by reminding citizens that cleanliness should not be a one-day activity but a lifelong mission, with efforts passed down from generation to generation. He urged state governments and local bodies to prioritise sanitation infrastructure and upkeep, ensuring that the country’s progress in cleanliness remains sustainable for years to come.