Lot remains to be done: Modi
Emphasising that issues of cleanliness and hygiene should be above politics, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti on Monday asserted that even 1,000 Mahatma Gandhis could not achieve the goal of a “clean India” without the participation of 125 crore Indians.
About five years ago, when children were seen cleaning their schools, it would create controversy with even parents criticising teachers. But now, children helping clean schools is seen as positive news, Mr Modi added.
Soon, people who participate in cleanliness drives will not make news but pictures of those who stay away from it will be shown on television, he said.
The country had come a long way but a lot remained to be done before the ‘clean India’ target could be achieved, the Prime Minister maintained.
He noted that the media and members of civil society had played a key role in propagating the importance of cleanliness. There was need for introspection if the programme had not gained the desired momentum, notwithstanding the support from these sections, he stressed.
Mr 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 ambassadors of the key programme.
The Prime Minister also asked people to not discourage those who were practicing cleanliness if the government was telling them to do so.