PM Modi to launch Swachhata Hi Seva Movement on Sept 15; calls it 'befitting tribute to Bapu'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday took to his twitter handle to announce the launch date for the "Swachhata Hi Seva" Movement. He said that the movement will be launched on September 15 and also requested people to pay tributes to the father of the nation Mahatama Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary by becoming a part of the Clean India movement.

"The 'Swachhata Hi Seva Movement' commences on 15th September. This is a great way to pay tributes to Bapu. Come, be a part of this movement and strengthen the efforts to create a Swachh Bharat!" the Prime Minister tweeted. 

Modi also appreciated the contribution of those who have been working towards making India cleaner. "On October 2, we mark the start of Gandhi Ji's 150th birth anniversary. It is also the day Swachh Bharat Mission completes 4 years of being a historic mass movement aimed at fulfilling Bapu's dream of a Clean India. I salute all those working towards a Swachh Bharat!," he tweeted. 

PM Modi further said that he was looking forward to meeting people who have worked relentlessly to strenghten the Swachh Bharat Mission. "At 9:30 AM on 15th, we shall come together and mark the commencement of the 'Swachhata Hi Seva Movement.' I look forward to interacting with those who have worked assiduously on the ground to strengthen the Swachh Bharat Mission after which Swachhata activities will begin," Modi tweeted. 

He also shared a video message for the people of the nation along with his tweets in which he talked about the success of the Swaccha Bharat Mission launched by his government. He lauded the efforts of people from all parts of the country who have worked towards a cleaner country. "People from across the country have come forward over the last four years to fulfil Bapu's dream of a clean India and have even gone beyond their capacity in some cases to make the Swachh Bharat Mission successful. It is because of such people that 8.5 crore toilets have been built across the country in these years, which is not a small number, " he said.

Modi further said that 90 percent Indians were using toilets today and before 2014, only 40 percent of Indians had access to toilets. Speaking about the Swachha Bharat Mission, he said that more than 4.25 lakh villages, 430 districts, 2800 cities and towns and 19 states and Union Territories have been declared Open Defecation Free (ODF). " You will be glad to know that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that almost 3 lakhs minors have probably survived only by using toilets after the Swaccha Bharat Mission was launched," he added.

The Prime Minister urged people of the country including schoolchildren, college students, women, members of the NSS and NCC, self-help organisations, housing societies, government officials and celebrities and media to begin preparation for the day.