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Young Indians are the Leading Advocates of the Swachh Bharat Movement
Union Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Electronics & IT, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, actively participated in the “Swachhata Hi Seva” campaign at New Delhi’s Safdarjung Railway Station, as part of the ‘Ek Tareekh, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath’ Shramdaan activity. Joining him were Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, MSDE, senior officials from the Ministry, and members of the general public, all uniting their efforts to contribute towards creating a garbage-free India.
To commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s 154th birth anniversary, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi called for a nationwide, citizen-centric movement, “Ek Tareekh, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath,” which served as a clarion call for government officials and citizens alike to volunteer for a one-hour cleanliness drive called “Shramdaan for Swachhata” on October 1. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship led the cleanliness drive across its ecosystem, including Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras (PMKKs), National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs), National Institute of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), and the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) in Guwahati and other centres in the northeastern region.
The cleanliness drive encompassed Sarojini Nagar Market, Commonwealth Games Park, Safdarjung Railway Station (track and surrounding area), and other locations in New Delhi. A total of 1345 events created in the dedicated portal for the “Shramdaan for Swachhata” drive were conducted across institutions nationwide.
Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar commented, “Over the past 9 years, PM Modi has spearheaded much-needed initiatives to reshape our collective behaviour as citizens after decades of challenges. It’s heartening to witness so many Indians enthusiastically participating in and believing in the Swachh Bharat Mission’s vision. This shift in behaviour has proven invaluable, especially during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“Young Indians are the primary champions of the Swachh Bharat movement. They have embraced the responsibility of furthering PM Modi’s vision. From the Red Fort’s ramparts, PM Shri Narendra Modi launched this mission to transform India into a Swachh Bharat. It aimed to transform our way of life, fostering a profound behavioural change among all citizens. He spoke of ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas Sabka Vishwas Sabka Prayas,’ illustrating how Indians rallied behind his vision for a Swachh Bharat,” the minister further added.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari expressed that from a skill development perspective, ‘Swachhata’ also requires a specialized skill set. For instance, in the realm of solid waste management, it is imperative to possess skills for waste segregation and disposal. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has been providing training in collaboration with local bodies and state governments in cleanliness-related areas. The focus has also been on empowering workers with modern machinery knowledge to instil a sense of dignity in their work, resulting in improved societal outcomes.