Union Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Shri Giriraj Singh performed Shramdaan for Swachhata at Rajendra Smriti Sangrahalaya (Rajendra Memorial Museum) in Patna, Bihar as part of “Ek Tareekh Ek Ghanta Ek Saath” initiative under the aegis of the Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign as Swachhanjali to the Father of the Nation on the eve of His Jayanti on 2^nd October 2023, aligning with ninth anniversary of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Addressing the participants and volunteers on this occasion Union Minister Shri Giriraj Singh underlined the importance of people’s participation in Swachhata Hi Seva Abhiyan and said that today’s nationwide mega cleanliness drive will give further boost to the consistent efforts towards Swachhata-related interventions in the country and will also promote citizen engagement to contribute to this noble cause. Shri Giriraj Singh emphasized that a sense of ownership will develop in the public towards mass cleaning drives or awareness campaigns under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan with active community participation.

Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Shri Kapil Moreshwar Patil led the cleanliness drive at Kon Gaon under Bhiwandi Taluka of Thane District in Maharashtra in the presence of elected representatives of Gram Panchayat and local residents. Shri Patil paid tributes to the Father of the Nation by leading the Shramdaan activities for cleanliness in the adjacent areas of the Durgadi Fort complex in Kalyan West under Bhiwandi Taluka and also at Dhamankar Naka, Padma Nagar, Bhiwandi with active participation of local residents including school children and youth volunteers. Speaking on this occasion Shri Kapil Patil extended thanks to the people from all walks of life to come forward to participate with high spirit and zeal in the unique “Ek Tareekh Ek Ghanta Ek Saath” initiative which aims to bring cleanliness into centre-stage.

Ministry of Panchayati Raj had taken necessary steps to observe “Swachhata Hi Seva” Pakhwada [15^th September – 2^nd October 2023] on the theme of ‘Garbage Free India’ with the aim of accelerating the combined efforts for realizing the vision of a ‘Swachh Bharat’. Cleaning up the garbage, focussing on sanitation and maintaining a hygienic environment have become a practice during Swachhata Hi Seva Abhiyan.

In an endeavour to perform Shramdaan for Swachhata with focus on visual cleanliness at high footfall public places, Central Park of Connaught Place, nearby pedestrian areas and roundabout of Jeevan Bharati Building which houses the Ministry office in the National Capital were identified by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj for “Ek Tareekh Ek Ghanta Ek Saath” activities at 10 AM on 1^st October 2023.

Today marked a day of action, camaraderie and dedication towards performing Shramdaan for Swachhata to achieve the vision of Swachh Bharat with a focus on sustaining transformative outcomes and achieving holistic sanitation. In the true spirit of Swachhata Hi Seva, officers and staff-members came together enthusiastically to contribute to improving cleanliness in and around office premises in Connaught Place, which is a high-footfall area in New Delhi.

All senior officers of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj actively participated in Shramdaan and removed all garbage, trash cans etc. in Central Park and roundabout of the Jeevan Bharati Building. More than 150 employees of the Ministry joined the mass movement of cleanliness in Connaught Place, New Delhi on 1^st October, 2023 spreading the message of no littering and not let others litter.

With active involvement of all the major stakeholders including citizens and civil society, Ek Tareekh Ek Ghanta Ek Saath has become a Jan Andolan receiving tremendous support from public, institutions, organizations, government agencies and government functionaries. Ministry of Panchayati Raj organised Shramdaan for Swachhata fostering institutional transformation towards Swachhata for Swachh Bharat, Swasth Bharat and Samriddh Bharat.

Since launch of Swachhata Hi Seva–2023 Abhiyan, Ministry of Panchayati Raj has been requesting the Department of Panchayati Raj of all States and UTs to mobilize proactive participation of rural masses in general and Panchayati Raj Institutions in particular to make proper use of the dedicated portals [https://swachhatahiseva.com and https://swachhbharatmission.gov.in/shs2023] of Swachhata Hi Seva Abhiyan for creation of events, planning for smooth execution of event, dissemination of messages etc.

Ministry of Panchayati Raj has also been following-up with Department / Directorate of Panchayati Raj of all States and Union Territories to come forward and get involved with Swachhata Hi Seva Pakhwada (15th September – 2nd October 2023), MoPR’s Swachhata Pakhwada a.k.a. Swachh Panchayat Pakhwada (1st – 15th October 2023) and Special Campaign 3.0 (2nd – 31st October 2023) to keep up the momentum beyond the fortnight of Swachhata Hi Seva–2023 during the month of October so that the Nation takes a great leap towards a Swachh Bharat to realize Mahatma Gandhi Ji’s dream.

The message resonating through cleanliness drives and cleanliness awareness campaigns is crystal clear: ensuring a holistic and impactful approach and promoting sustainable solutions to bring cleanliness to our villages and cities, fostering a sense of responsibility within the community and reinforcing that ‘Cleanliness is Everyone’s Business’.

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