In the journey of swachhata with destination clean India, states, UTs and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) have acted as the engines of change and have effectively implemented interventions and ensured the achievement of objectives of the Swachh Bharat Mission. Additionally, executive officials have played a pivotal role in strategic decision making, capacity building and guiding the overall approach for enhancing sanitation and waste management in cities.

There have been a number of initiatives and IEC drives carried out across the nation on general notion of cleanliness, while it is equally important to segregate dry and wet waste as merely dumping them in random bins wouldn’t serve any purpose. Acting on this principle under the Swachhata Pakhwada- Swachhata Hi Seva 2023 campaign, a wet waste composters inauguration ceremony was held at the Green MIG Flats in Delhi’s Rajouri Garden area led by local councillor Shashi Talwar and Dr Radha Goyal (Deputy Director, IPCA). There were 12 composters installed which would cater to a total of 512 households of the RWA. To raise awareness among the residents about waste segregation, a Nukad Natak was also organized with the theme "Hara Geela Sukha Neela." Additionally, MCD officials attending the event spoke on the significance of waste management in the light of Garbage-free India vision as well as the practicality of composters in the current environment. Residents were informed about the operation of the composters by Dr Goyal wherein several questions of the residents were also addressed. Meanwhile, a training session was also arranged for the waste collectors, housemaids and RWA officials.

During the same as this event was held, a unique call to action was given by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to fellow citizens. On 105th episode of Mann Ki Baat, as a run up to Gandhi Jayanti, PM Modi appealed for 1 hour of shramdaan for swachhata at 10 am on 1st October 2023 by all citizens collectively and said that it would be a ‘swachhanjali’ to Bapu on the eve of his Jayanti. Speaking on SHS, he said “A big event on cleanliness is going to be organized on the 1st of October i.e. Sunday at 10 am. You too should take out time and help in this campaign related to cleanliness. You can also join this cleanliness campaign in your street, or neighbourhood…or at a park, river, lake or any other public place.” This mega cleanliness drive calls upon citizens from all walks of life to join in actual cleaning activities at public places. With such activities and initiatives taken, the number of people joining the Swachhata Pakhwada has reached 7 crore and it is only going to get bigger and bigger.

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RKJ/M

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