"140 crore citizens connected with PM's dreams, Swachh Bharat Mission taken massive form": Nityanand Rai on cleanliness drive in Ranchi
Ranchi, June 14
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai on Sunday participated in a cleanliness drive at Tetartoli Pond in Ranchi and said that the Swachh Bharat Mission has grown into a nationwide movement, with people across the country joining Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for cleanliness and development.
Speaking to ANI during the drive, Rai said Prime Minister Modi has become the longest-serving Prime Minister of India since the country adopted the democratic electoral system.
"Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become the longest-serving Prime Minister of India. Since elections began under the democratic system in this country, PM Modi has completed the longest tenure of service... Now, 140 crore citizens of this country are connected with the dreams and resolve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Rai said.
Highlighting the impact of the Swachh Bharat Mission, the Union Minister said the initiative has transformed public participation in cleanliness campaigns and helped change attitudes towards sanitation.
"India used to be known as a place where there were heaps of filth everywhere you went. After becoming Prime Minister, PM Modi took the resolve to launch the Swachh Bharat Mission, and the countrymen joined him in it. The ongoing Swachh Bharat Mission has taken on a massive form. It is under that same Swachh Bharat Mission that we have gathered here today at this pond," the Union Minister added.
The cleanliness drive at Tetartoli Pond was organised as part of ongoing Swachh Bharat initiatives aimed at promoting hygiene, environmental conservation and community participation in cleanliness activities.
The Swachh Bharat Mission, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, seeks to improve sanitation, cleanliness and waste management across urban and rural India through active public participation.
Meanwhile, similar cleanliness initiatives were organised in other parts of the country. In Delhi, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta participated in the 'Maa Yamuna Riverbank Cleanliness Drive' at Dashmesh Ghat in Geeta Colony as part of a large-scale campaign launched by the Delhi government across 28 ghats along the Yamuna River.
The initiative witnessed participation from senior BJP leaders, public representatives, party workers and local residents, with cleanliness drives being carried out simultaneously at multiple locations along the riverbank.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Honestly, I appreciate the sentiment but we need more than just photo ops. Real change in sanitation requires consistent funding, proper public toilets, and waste treatment plants. The '140 crore connected' line sounds good for headlines but ground reality in many villages is still poor. Hope this isn't just election propaganda.
I've seen the difference Swachh Bharat has made in my hometown. Earlier there was garbage everywhere; now there are bins and regular collection. It's true that PM Modi's leadership has brought this issue to the forefront. But we as citizens also need to change our habits—stop littering, start composting. It's a collective effort.
Swachh Bharat has definitely improved many areas, but let's not ignore that it's also been used to push privatization of waste management. Corporates are making money from this 'mission.' Also, the obsession with PM's tenure length distracts from real issues like unemployment and inflation. Keep it clean, but keep it real.
Good to see Union Ministers joining ground-level work. That sets an example. But I wish they'd also focus on industrial waste and river pollution from factories. Cleaning a pond is nice, but what about the Ganga and Yamuna? They need comprehensive plans, not just drives. Still, every little bit counts. 👍
As someone who visits India often, I've seen a real shift in public awareness about cleanliness since 2014. Not perfect, but noticeable. The pond cleanup in Ranchi is a good local initiative. However, sustained effort is key—one
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