Cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar and Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra, who were among the nine people nominated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to kick off the 'Swachh Bharat' Campaign, have accepted the challenge with relevant posts on Twitter and Facebook.
Modi had nominated several celebrities and even Congress leader Shashi Tharoor to be part of the campaign that he launched on Thursday on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's 145th birth anniversary, celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti.
Modi nominated nine individuals for the Swachh Bharat campaign:
Goa Governor Mridula Sinha, Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar, Yoga guru Baba Ramdev, businessman Anil Ambani, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, actors Kamal Haasan, Salman Khan, Priyanka Chopra, and all the television actors of Hindi serial 'Tarak Mehta ka Ulta Chashma', to kick off the campaign.
This initiative by Modi seems to be on the lines of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, which had gone viral recently. It reflects Modi's understanding of what can click with India's youth, who spend a large part of their time on social media.
He has asked everyone to upload a video of their cleanliness initiative on social media, and further nominate nine other people to do the same.
Chopra was among the first to reply to Modi's call, and through a series of posts on Twitter, she called for a 'Clean India'.
I humbly accept respected Prime Minster Narendra Modiji's challenge. This is an idea that is long overdue #CleanIndiaCampaign @PMOIndia
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) October 2, 2014
There is no time like the present to begin the journey towards change. Recognise that we R doing this for ourselves #CleanIndiaCampaign — PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) October 2, 2014
If we dont get involved & support this campaign, nothing can happen. But if we come together we can make a difference. #CleanIndiaCampaign
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) October 2, 2014
Every action we take will be important.I want to make the change.I want a clean India.It's time to clean up our act. #CleanIndiaCampaign — PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) October 2, 2014
Tendulkar also 'humbly accepted the challenge', and even uploaded a video on Facebook in which he says, "Swachh Bharat hi Sach Bharat Hai ("A Clean India is the True India"). Aao sab milkar haath badhaye (let us all come together)".
I humbly accept the challenge ... https://t.co/eGw712nT7z
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 2, 2014
Others such as Salman Khan and Shashi Tharoor are yet to acknowledge the challenge on social media.