Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the 124th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat on Sunday, lauded the unwavering spirit of the nation in carrying forward the Swachh Bharat Mission, calling it a shining example of collective will transforming the seemingly impossible into reality.
“Sometimes a task appears impossible to some people. They wonder, would this even be possible? But when the country comes together with one thought, even the impossible becomes possible. The Swachh Bharat Mission is the biggest example of this. Soon, this mission will complete 11 years, but its strength and its relevance remain just as strong,” PM Modi said.
Describing the mission as a true mass movement, the Prime Minister added, “In these 11 years, the Swachh Bharat Mission has become a people’s movement. People consider it their duty, and this is real public participation.”
PM Modi pointed out that the annual Swachh Survey continues to motivate citizens to keep their surroundings clean.
“This year, more than 4,500 cities and towns in the country participated. Over 15 crore people took part. This is no ordinary number—this is the voice of Swachh Bharat,” he said.
The PM Modi highlighted how different cities are finding unique ways to address cleanliness challenges.
“When it comes to cleanliness, our cities and towns are working in different ways according to their needs and surroundings. And their impact is not limited to these cities alone—the whole country is adopting their methods,” he said.
Sharing inspiring examples from across India, the Prime Minister said, “The people of Kirtinagar in Uttarakhand are setting a new example of waste management in the hills. Similarly, organic waste management is being carried out with the help of technology in Mangaluru. In a small city called Roing in Arunachal Pradesh, waste management was once a serious health concern. The people there took responsibility into their own hands.”
“The ‘Green Roing Initiative’ was launched, and eventually, an entire park was built using recycled waste. Likewise, Karad and Vijayawada have set new examples of water management. The cleanliness of the riverfront in Ahmedabad has also drawn widespread attention,” he added.
PM Modi appreciated the efforts of a women-led team, Sakaratmak Soch, in Bhopal, comprising 200 women.
“They don’t just clean; they also change mindsets. From cleaning 17 parks in the city to distributing cloth bags, every step they take sends a strong message. Because of such efforts, Bhopal has made remarkable progress in the Swachh Survey,” he said.
He also praised the consistent efforts of the Gomti River team in Lucknow.
“It is important to mention the Gomti River team in Lucknow. For the last 10 years, every Sunday, without fail, the members of this team have been tirelessly engaged in cleaning the river,” he said.
Highlighting the impact of women-led initiatives, PM Modi cited the example of Bilha in Chhattisgarh, where women were trained in waste management and collectively “transformed the face of the city”.
Speaking of Goa’s capital, he said, “The example of Panaji is also inspiring. There, waste is segregated into 16 categories, and this too is led by women. Panaji has even received the President’s Award.”
“Cleanliness is not a one-time or one-day task. Only when we give it priority every day, every moment of the year, will the country remain clean,” the PM added.
—IANS