The nation is currently celebrating the fortnight festival of cleanliness with the ongoing Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) 2023 campaign themed ‘Garbage-Free India’. Collectively demonstrating unity & determination, and taking inspiration from Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s clarion call for Swachhata, till date, over 32 crore individuals have participated in the nationwide campaign over the last 14 days, averaging around 2.3 crore people participation per day across the country. This ‘Jan Andolan’ is achieving abundant outcomes for the nation including declaration of 75% of India’s villages as ODF Plus i.e., sustaining Open Defecation Free status of villages along with making arrangements for either solid or liquid waste management. It also highlights the unwavering commitment of communities and the Government towards sanitation and cleanliness.
This year’s campaign is witnessing huge participation with over 32 crore individuals from across the country having joined so far, in just 14 days, averaging around 2.3 crore people participation per day. Among them, nearly 15 crore citizens actively participated in Shramdaan, contributing voluntary labor to 3.68 lakh SBM activities. These efforts include cleaning of nearly 5300 beaches, revitalizing 4300 riverbanks and waterfronts, reclaiming over 10,700 legacy waste sites, improving 2400 tourist and iconic destinations, and restoring over 93,000 public spaces. Additionally, over 12,000 water bodies have been cleaned, over 60,000 institutional buildings rejuvenated, and nearly 47,000 garbage-vulnerable sites cleaned. These numbers reflect the unwavering dedication and the power of ‘Jan Andolan’ to bring about rapid transformation.
The culmination of this year’s celebrations will be on 1st October, when the whole of Government as well as the citizens of the country will collaborate to conduct cleanliness drives in various locations as part of ‘Ek Tareekh Ek Ghanta Ek Saath’ – a national call to action for 1 Hour of citizen-led ‘Shramdaan for Swachhata’ at 10 AM. This clarion call by the Prime Minister, underscores the importance of cleanliness in all aspects of society. On 105th episode of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister, appealed for 1 hour of Shramdaan for Swachhata at 10 am on 1st Oct by all citizens collectively will be a ‘Swachhanjali’ to Bapu on the eve of his Jayanti. PM said, “A big event on cleanliness is going to be organized on the 1st of October i.e., Sunday at 10 am. You too should take out time and help in this campaign related to cleanliness. You can also join this cleanliness campaign in your street, or neighborhood or at a park, river, lake or any other public place”.
An important aspect of this year’s campaign is the joint launch of SHS Campaign by three Union Ministers, symbolizing unity in efforts of various departments of the government towards achievement of a ‘Swachh Bharat’ as envision by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi. The result can be gauged by the fact that within just one week of the launch, the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat announced the achievement of 75% ODF Plus villages across the nation.
The Whole of Government approach is quite evident this time, besides the synergising of efforts between Swachh Bharat Mission- Rural and Urban, as there are several initiatives from various other departments to ensure a ‘Swachh Bharat’. The Ministry of Tourism launched Travel for LiFE for Cleanliness Campaign at 108 selected sites, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has ensured the playing of the SHS video on all cinema screens across the country while the Department of Telecom is playing the SHS ringtone across all mobile networks. The Department of Civil Aviation and Railway Board is endorsing the SHS campaign in all the airports and railway areas while the ASI has lit up all major monuments with the SHS branding. The Department of School Education & Literacy is bringing sanitation activities to all public and private schools of the country, while the Department of Higher education is encouraging colleges and universities to spread the message of Swachhata. Each department is endorsing and contributing to the SHS campaign in its own unique way.
Yet another unique feature is that this campaign is also working for the welfare of the sanitation heroes – the SafaiMitra. Health check-up camps and yoga shivirs are being organised for their welfare. All sections of the community too are coming forward to make SHS a huge success. The women – SHGs have been mobilised in huge number, with many of them adopting villages for Shramdaan. The youth – in schools and colleges have shown great enthusiasm in cleaning up their cities, towns and villages, with colleges adopting villages as well. The senior citizens are doing Shramdaan in beaches, parks, public places and playing their part for a clean society. Religious leaders in religious places are getting Shramdaan done. Various bodies like Chambers of Commerce, Red Cross, various trade and agricultural bodies are actively involved in Swachhata activities.
Mass mobilisation activities encompass Swachhata Pledge, Swachhata runs and Human Chains, cleanliness drives at office premises & adjacent areas (convergence with special campaign 3.0 of DAPRG), railway tracks & stations, adjacent areas of airports, tourist places/pilgrim sites in convergence with World Tourism Day, ASI monuments/ heritage sites, educational institutions, highways & adjacent areas, zoos, sanctuaries, parks, other high footfall areas; Pledge for Single Use Plastic ban and zero waste events. These collective efforts have rejuvenated our environment, creating a cleaner, healthier atmosphere. It is a tribute to the spirit of ‘Team India.’
It is evident that the Swachhata Hi Seva, 2023 campaign has reignited the spirit of voluntarism and community participation among the masses. It has achieved the annual campaign’s objective of making sanitation everyone’s business.
This campaign demonstrates that remarkable feats can be achieved when individuals, communities, and government agencies unite with a shared vision and work towards a mission, like the ‘Swachh Bharat’ Mission.
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Anubhav Singh
