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| Edited By: DNA Web Team |Source: DNA webdesk |Updated: Oct 02, 2017, 01:14 PM IST
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on the occasion of third anniversary of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India mission) and said the target of a 'Clean India' cannot be achieved by 1,000 Mahatma Gandhis, one lakh Narendra Modis and all the country's chief ministers coming together but by the unity of its 125 crore people.
He also reviewed his flagship programme along with Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation Uma Bharti and Minister of State (Independent Charge) Housing Urban Affairs Hardeep Puri, and ministers of state SS Ahluwalia and Ramesh Chandappa Jigajinagi, among others.
In his little over 30-minute speech, PM Modi talked about how cleanliness is basic human nature and why must it should come from within society to take the responsibility. He said their would be many Mahatama Gandhis, Narendra Modis and chief Ministers, but the Clean India Mission would be accomplished only when 125 crore Indians decide to participle in the movement.
In a very emphatic manner, PM also spoke about difficulties faced by women in India due to lack of sanitation facilities. He concluded with new mantra for his flagship programme - Swachhagraha.
Modi said the issue of cleanliness should be looked at from the prism of women, who face difficulties due to lack of toilets, and lauded children for being the ambassador of the key programme.
"We cannot achieve the target (of a Clean India) even if 1,000 Mahatma Gandhis, one lakh Narendra Modis, chief ministers and all governments come together. We can achieve it (only) when all 125 crore countrymen come together," Modi told the gathering.
Stating that cleanliness was very crucial in India's bid to become a superior country, Modi urged against politicisation of the issue.
The prime minister also asked people to not discourage those who were practicing cleanliness if the government was telling them to do so.
"There are several other issues to criticise Modi. (Some) people will give you thousand issues to do so...But do not discourage those who are maintaining cleanliness," he added.
Government officials say with this rate, they will be able to declare 10 states free of open defecation by March 2018.
The mission was launched on October 2, 2014, to eradicate open defecation by 2019, by constructing 12 million toilets in the country at an estimated cost of Rs 1.96 lakh crore.
