SWACHH BHARAT IS THE GOAL

Swachhta (cleanliness) is for each of us to practice,” says Prime Minister Narendra Modi quoting Mahatma Gandhi, in his letter to industrialists and noted personalities, seeking their support for the Swachhata Hi Seva movement. The initiative, meant to encourage widespread participation in cleanliness initiatives across India, has been joined by names such as actors Akshay Kumar, Anushka Sharma and former cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, after several celebs were invited to dedicate their time for the cause of Swachh Bharat by the Prime Minister’s Office.

On Thursday, Anjum Chopra, former captain of the Indian Women Cricket team, initiated the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign at a Government High School in her native Anangpur Village in Surajkund, Faridabad, thereby cleaning the area. “Since school, we’ve been taught that cleanliness is next to godliness... The idea is to keep our roads clean and encourage people to grow trees,” says Chopra.

Padma Shri Awardee and President of NGO Tamana, Dr Shayama Chona has also been relentlessly contributing towards the cause. Today, a cleanliness drive at Ekta Basti, RK Puram, will be carried out along with a street play and dance presentation. “We will sensitise the local community, record the progress, and encourage the habitants to ensure sustainability of the project. Also, groups are being made, wherein students from Tamana school, will create awareness amongst the slum dwellers on the outbreak of life threatening diseases due to poor sanitation,” she says.

The Indian Men and Women’s Hockey teams, with coaches and support staff, also recently conducted a cleanliness activity at Kanminike Colony, Kumbalgodu Gram panchayat, near Bengaluru. “We cleaned the village area,” says Haryana’s Rani Rampal, captain of the Indian Women’s Hockey team. She adds, “Only when we have a clean and green country can we say that we are proud to be Indians.”

Padma Shri surgical gastroenterologist and liver transplant surgeon Saumitra Rawat, from Delhi’s Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, also kicked off the campaign with a cleanliness drive at Maya Enclave in Delhi. “The campaign also involved local MLAs and MCD officials. I will go to my birth place in village Sarkar, Jhansi to inspire others to take part,” says Rawat.