The Indian government has recently launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, a national level campaign to achieve Gandhiji’s dream of a clean India by 2019. Here is an excerpt from the official press release from the Prime Minister’s Office. He has called upon every citizen to 100 hours every year to cleanliness. That’s only 100 hours out of 8760 hours.


Activity one:
Think about how you will be a part of this change? What will your time-table look like? What areas would you clean and how? How would you avoid dirtying an already clean area in your neighbourhood? Make a cool calendar for the same and appoint a buddy who can help you keep a track!

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today exhorted people to fulfil Mahatma Gandhi's vision of Clean India. Launching the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan at Rajpath in New Delhi, the Prime Minister paid homage to two great sons of Mother India, Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, on their birth anniversary. He recalled how the nation's farmers had responded to Shri Shastri's call of 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan,' and made India self-sufficient in food security. He said that out of Gandhiji's two dreams – Quit India, and Clean India, the people had helped to ensure that the first became a reality. However, the second dream – Clean India – still remained unfulfilled. The Prime Minister said it was our social responsibility as citizens of India to help fulfil Gandhiji's vision of Clean India, by his 150th birth anniversary in 2019.


The Prime Minister said that according to the World Health Organization, an average of Rs. 6500 per person was lost in India due to lack of cleanliness and hygiene. He said Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan would therefore make a significant impact on public health, and in safeguarding income of the poor, ultimately contributing to the national economy. He exhorted people to devote 100 hours every year towards the cause of cleanliness. The Prime Minister also emphasized the importance of building toilets. He said sanitation should not be seen as a political tool, but should only be connected to patriotism (rashtra bhakti) and commitment to public health.