10 years of Swachh Bharat: PM Modi picks up the broom for cleanliness drive with ‘young friends’ | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in a cleanliness drive at a school on October 2, celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Swachhata campaign. Engaging with schoolchildren, he urged citizens to join the initiative and strengthen the spirit of ‘Swachh Bharat.’
Coinciding with the 155th Gandhi Jayanti, PM Modi will also attend the Swachh Bharat Diwas 2024 program at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, marking a decade since the launch of the Swachh Bharat Mission, one of India’s most significant mass movements for cleanliness.
“On Gandhi Jayanti today, I became a part of the Swachhata Abhiyan with my young friends. I request all of you to become a part of the cleanliness campaign around you today. This initiative of yours will further strengthen the spirit of ‘Swachh Bharat’,” PM Modi wrote in a post on X.

Union minister HD Kumaraswamy praised the BJP government‘s initiative, stating that over the past decade, millions of toilets have been built, resulting in a significant reduction in open defecation and improved sanitation standards. He noted that this mission aims not just for cleanliness but also to transform mindsets, promote hygiene, and create a sustainable future for all.
“As we celebrate 10 years of the Swachh Bharat Mission on Swachh Bharat Diwas, we are reminded of the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi on his 155th birth anniversary. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary initiative has transformed Gandhi Ji’s dream of a clean and self-reliant India into reality. This nationwide movement for cleanliness has united millions in the mission for a Swachh, Sundar, and Samarth Bharat,” Kumaraswamy wrote in a post on X.
“On this special day, let’s honor the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and continue to follow PM Modi’s path toward a cleaner, greener, and more resilient India. Together, we can achieve a Swachh Bharat for generations to come,” he added.
Additionally, BJP President JP Nadda and BJP MP Bansurai Swaraj also participated in a cleanliness drive today as part of the ongoing ‘Seva Pakhwada’ campaign.
The Swachh Bharat Mission was launched on October 2, 2014, following PM Modi’s powerful message from the Red Fort, calling for cleanliness to become a national priority and urging citizens to join the mission. The initiative adopted a ‘whole-of-government’ approach, making sanitation a collective responsibility.