Swachhata Hi Seva: PM Modi launches movement for clean India

New Delhi, Sep 15: Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off nation-wide Swachhta hi Seva cleanliness campaign on Saturday. The campaign will continue till October 2. Joined by superstar Amitabh Bachchan and industry doyen Ratan Tata in an interaction streamed live on the Narendra Modi app, the PM urged all Indians to take the Clean India pledge.

"Swachhata Hi Seva Movement' aims at fulfilling Bapu's dream of a Clean India. From today till Gandhi Jayanti, let us re-dedicate ourselves towards fulfilling Bapu's dream of Clean India. 'Swacch Bharat Mission' that began 4 yrs ago has reached an important stage today, where we can proudly say that people from all sections have joined us in the mission: PM Narendra Modi said on the launch of 'Swachhata Hi Seva Movement'.

Hailing the contribution of women in the cleanliness movement, the PM said, "The contribution of India's nari shakti (women power) in the Swachh Bharat (clean India) mission is immense."

"Youngsters are ambassadors of social change. The way they have furthered the message of cleanliness is commendable. The youth are at the forefront of a positive change in India," Modi said while interacting with the students of Assam via his NaMo App.

Ahead of the campaign, Prime Minister Modi wrote to almost 2,000 citizens from different walks of life, inviting them to be a part of the cleanliness drive.

Those invited by Prime Minister to join the campaign include judges, retired government officials, winner of gallantry awards, Commonwealth and Asian Games medallists, Chief Ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers, Governors, Lieutenant Governors, journalists, sportspersons, film personalities and spiritual gurus.

In his letter, the prime minister described the Swachh Bharat Mission as a mass movement that has ushered in a 'swachhata revolution' across India. He asked the recipients of the letters to support the mission and inspire others to do the same.