Rural India has declared itself ODF

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that rural India has declared itself ‘Open Defecation Free’ (ODF) on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, a target his government had set in 2014.

“Today, rural India and its villages have declared themselves ODF. This is the power and source of success of the ongoing ‘Swachhata Abhiyan’ (cleanliness drive) being run based on self-motivation and with public participation,” he said during his address at the Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad.

The Modi government had launched the Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G) from October 2, 2014 with an aim to achieve ODF India by October 2, 2019.

Modi congratulated every countryman, especially those living in villages, Sarpanches and all those who have worked for ‘Swachhata’ and said that irrespective of age, social and economic status, everyone has contributed in this pledge of cleanliness, dignity and respect.

The Prime Minister said the world was amazed by this success. “The entire world is amazed that India has provided toilet facilities to more than 60 crore (600 million) population in 60 months by constructing more than 11 crore (110 million) toilets.”

Public participation and voluntarism has been the hallmark of ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ and the reason for its success, Modi said.

Stressing on the importance of public participation, Modi said that collective efforts are essential for the success of all important government initiatives like the ‘Jal Jeevan’ ( Water is life) Mission and eliminating “single-use plastics” by 2022.

Modi said his government is committed towards realizing the dreams of Mahatma Gandhi.