‘Bapu’s Ideals Inspire Lessons in Cleanliness’: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention in Delhi, reiterating the need for sanitation and cleanliness on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.

Ahead of Gandhi Jayanti, PM Narendra Modi launched the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva Abhiyan’ to commemorate the Father of the Nation's 150th birthday.

Earlier in the day, PM Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind had visited Delhi’s Rajghat to pay their respects to Mahatma Gandhi.

Launching the “Swachhata Hi Seva” campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that all sections of society and every part of the country have joined the cleanliness drive as he noted few would have thought that nine crore toilets would be built and 4.5 lakh villages declared open defecation free in four years.

The “cleanliness is service” campaign will continue till Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary on 2 October, with Modi asking people to rededicate themselves to fulfilling the father of the nation’s dream of a clean India during an interactive programme.

The Prime Minister spoke to groups of people from across the country besides several religious figures, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and personalities including Amitabh Bachchan and Ratan Tata through video-conference in which they shared details of their work for the campaign.

The sanitation coverage in India has increased to over 90% from 40% in four years, Modi said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said cleanliness was an important aspect of Mahatma Gandhi's life and the Father of the Nation was the most deserving candidate for the UN's Champions of the Earth Award.

Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron were jointly awarded the UN's highest environmental honour for their pioneering work in championing the International Solar Alliance and promoting new areas of cooperation on environmental action.

Gandhiji was the most deserving candidate for the United Nations Champions of the Earth award, the prime minister said while addressing a gathering here after inaugurating a museum dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi.

"Cleanliness was an important aspect of Gandhi's life and he used to say, if he had to choose between cleanliness and freedom, he would choose cleanliness first, such was his commitment towards cleanliness," he said.

The itinerary released on PM Narendra Modi’s website said “Events related to sanitation and renewable energy shall be the focus of the Prime Minister’s engagements on Gandhi Jayanti.”

The press release also outlines his plans for the day that will mark the launch of the 150th anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi.

The PM will offer floral tributes to Gandhi at Rajghat following which he will pay a visit at Vijay Ghat to pay homage to Lal Bahadur Shastri on his birth anniversary.

PM Modi will attend the closing ceremony of the 4-day international conference called the Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention (MGISC) at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre.

At the event PM Modi, accompanied by Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, will launch commemorative postage stamps on Mahatma Gandhi, and a medley CD based on Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite hymn – “Vaishnav Jan.” The Swachh Bharat Awards will also be distributed on this occasion.

Later in the day, the prime minister will inaugurate the first Assembly of the International Solar Alliance at Vigyan Bhawan.

PM Modi arrived at New Delhi’s Rajghat to pay his respects to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary.

President Ram Nath Kovind arrived at New Delhi’s Rajghat to pay his respects to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary.

Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi in Lucknow.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis paid his tribute to Mahatma Gandhi by taking part in a ‘padyatra’ in Nagpur.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pays tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterre visit an exhibition during Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention, at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented Swachh Bharat Awards at the Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention (MGISC) at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, in New Delhi.

Mahatma Gandhi's favourite devotional song 'Vaishnava Jan To' has gone global with artists from over 124 countries having contributed musically in paying homage to him through the 'bhajan'.

On the 149th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday launched a medley version of the famous 'bhajan' by artists from over 40 countries, during the closing ceremony of the Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Conference, a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) statement said.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Minister of Drinking Water and Sanitation Uma Bharti and other eminent personalities were present on the occasion.

As part of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi, artists from over 124 countries have contributed musically in paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi through his favourite bhajan 'Vaishnav Jan To Tene Kahiye', the MEA said.

The famous Gujarati hymn was penned by the 15th century poet Narsimha Mehta and was one of the favourite 'bhajans' of Mahatma Gandhi who included it into the roster of prayers routinely sung before his meetings, it said.

PM Narendra Modi attended Sarva Dharma Sabha at Gandhi Smriti in Delhi, reported ANI.

He also met school children during Sarva Dharma Prarthana Sabha and interacted with them on Tuesday evening.