Latest news with #SwachhBharat
Time of India
a day ago
- General
- Time of India
Mahindra pats ex-LMC boss for swachh Lucknow
Lucknow: Chairman of the Mahindra Group, Anand Mahindra acknowledged the efforts of former municipal commissioner Inderjit Singh for significantly improving Lucknow's performance in Swachh Bharat rankings. Mahindra posted on X, recognising Singh's efforts. He wrote, "The city of Lucknow has always had a formidable reputation for its culture and cuisine. However, cleanliness was never part of its claim to fame. Concerns included lack of dustbins, public spitting and scattering of waste during festivals. I have a special place in my heart for the city since it is where my mother grew up and became a teacher at IT College before moving to Mumbai. So, to hear about Lucknow becoming the third-ranked city in the Swachh Survekshan came as a very pleasant surprise, to put it mildly! He further wrote: "Behind this transformation is IAS Indrajeet Singh, whose efforts are described in the video. It proves that when your purpose is clear and you have a sense of mission, no bureaucracy is insurmountable, no change is impossible, including of mindsets. For being an agent of transformational change, Indrajeet Singh is my #MondayMotivation."
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
‘We are not asking for a city like London or Paris, all we want is clean water, decent roads'
A public convention was organised by the Ballari Nagarika Horata Samithi (BNHS) at Gandhi Bhavan here on Sunday to highlight long-standing civic issues in the city and demand immediate redressal. The gathering focused on several pressing concerns, including the need for clean drinking water, proper underground drainage, road repairs, and measures to curb the menace of stray dogs and cattle. Inaugurating the convention, senior advocate R. Pandu said that Article 21 of the Constitution guaranteed every citizen the right to live with dignity and yet the right has been clearly denied in Ballari. 'Contaminated water is being supplied once every eight-10 days, roads are in poor condition and pollution levels have worsened. The municipal corporation is more focused on collecting taxes rather than addressing civic issues. We are not asking for a city like London or Paris. All we want is clean water, clean air and decent roads,' he asserted. BNHS district advisor Narasanna remarked, 'A nation is not just about its land or borders, but its people. Unfortunately, Ballari's civic issues show that the authorities have forgotten this. Despite slogans like Swachh Bharat, our streets remain filthy. If our problems are not addressed, what is the point of having a municipal corporation?' Retired inspector and BNHS advisor Murtuza Saab, who helped lead the month-long preparations for the convention, said that over one lakh signatures have already been collected in support of the demands. 'This has already forced the municipal body to carry out some minor works. This is the power of people's movements,' he noted, urging citizens to intensify their participation in future protests. Presiding over the meeting, BNHS district coordinator R. Somashekhar Gowda said that the municipal corporation is creating new civic problems instead of solving the existing ones. 'Residents must form local citizen committees and fight back. Struggle is the only way forward,' he said. BNHS advisor and industrialist Shyamsundar, executive committee members N. Pramod and A. Shanta addressed the gathering. Information on the problems affecting various neighbourhoods and possible solutions was shared. A new 47-member action committee was formed to spearhead future efforts. The committee plans to submit a memorandum to the Mayor on Wednesday. The convention witnessed participation from numerous resident welfare associations and citizens across Ballari.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
10 years, 375 Sundays: PM Modi praises Lucknow team's efforts to clean Gomti
Lucknow: Lauding the efforts by the public at the grassroots level to make cities and towns clean, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his 'Mann Ki Baat' radio programme on Sunday, acknowledged a team's tireless commitment to cleaning the Gomti river every Sunday for the past 10 years. Without naming individuals, he said, "Every Sunday for the last 10 years, tirelessly, without stopping, the members of this team are engaged in the cleanliness work." The team referred to is led by Ranjit Singh, corporator of Mankameshwar Ward, who, along with dozens of dedicated volunteers, has been conducting the weekly cleanliness drive under the 'Swachh Paryavaran Andolan Sena'. On Sunday, marking the 375th consecutive week of the campaign, around 5 quintals of waste were removed from the riverbed at Jhulelal Ghat. About 60 volunteers participated in the drive, which lasted two hours in the morning. "This is not about publicity. We don't do it for photos. It's about real work, real impact," said a volunteer. Expressing gratitude over the PM's words, the corporator said, "It is an honour that our small but consistent efforts reached the ears of the Prime Minister. This recognition boosted our morale and inspired us to keep serving the river selflessly." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Adam Lambert, 43, Takes off His Makeup and Leaves Us Without Words The Noodle Box Undo Irrespective of the weather conditions, the cleanliness activity is carried out round the year, he highlighted. Mayor Sushma Kharakwal also appreciated the consistent efforts of Singh. She mentioned that the team remained active not only during special occasions like the chief minister's birthday or River Yoga events, but has been working for years without any NGO association. 'A tribute to cleanliness movement' In a post on X in Hindi, CM Yogi Adityanath said, "The mention by Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji in today's @mannkibaat about the team dedicated for years to the cleanliness of the Gomti river, the lifeline of Lucknow, is not only a tribute to the people's movement of ' Swachh Bharat ', but also a nationwide inspiration for the spirit of service, hard work and dedication that comes alive every Sunday on the riverbank." "Under the successful guidance of the Prime Minister, the excellent performance of the districts of Uttar Pradesh in the Swachh Survey is strengthening the achievement of 'Swachh Uttar Pradesh'. Heartfelt thanks to the Prime Minister!" the CM said on X.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
Chandigarh's ‘slum-free' claim: The real clean-up begins now
Written by RK Saboo As Swachh Bharat Abhiyan powers into its ambitious second phase, Chandigarh basks in the glory of being India's first officially 'slum-free' city. But beyond the spotless roads and freshly scrubbed reputation, the real question lingers: has the city truly lifted its most vulnerable residents into lives of dignity, safety and opportunity? Slum removal, after all, should not be the end of the story. It must mark the start of a new chapter — one where displaced families are not just shifted out but moved up, with better housing, education and prospects. Equally overlooked are the city's street vendors, who form its bustling, beating heart. Cleanliness drives, fines and mandatory registrations may tick the bureaucratic boxes, but without inclusive policies and alternate spaces for vendors to earn their livelihood, the city risks sweeping away their means of survival. Launched in October 2014 by the Prime Minister, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan began as a government programme but soon morphed into a people's movement. Chandigarh's slum-free status shines as a rare success story — proof of what determined planning, political will and citizen participation can deliver. Yet for the mission to ring true, every displaced family must feel part of that success. The larger Swachh Bharat journey has seen India achieve near-universal ODF (open defecation free) coverage in rural areas, while urban India is now tasked with becoming garbage-free and scientifically waste-managed by 2026. GPS-enabled apps like Swachhata are tightening transparency, and cities like Indore continue to lead the cleanliness rankings, powered by civic pride and innovation. For me, the mission is deeply personal. It was at the 2014 Chennai Rotary Institute that I led a dedicated Swachh Bharat session, culminating in the Chennai Declaration — a pledge to champion hygiene, dignity and cleanliness. Back home in Chandigarh, our small steps — office cleanliness drives — sparked ripples. Neighbouring offices joined in, schools followed, and children were inspired by stories of Japanese classrooms where students clean their own spaces with pride. Soon, the movement spilled onto the streets. Rotarian Salil Chopra and a determined band of Rotarians and Rotaractors hit the lanes, markets and pavements, armed with brooms, slogans and a simple message: cleanliness is everyone's responsibility. Human chains and striking visuals drew the public in; change became visible. Now, as Chandigarh transitions from a structurally planned city to a socially conscious, green city, the challenge deepens. Are the slum dwellers who were uprooted now living better, healthier lives? The real test of a 'slum-free' city is not the absence of jhuggis, but the presence of dignity for its poorest citizens. Urban development is more than sweeping away shanties; it's about ensuring every rehabilitated family lives in safety and hope. If Chandigarh can answer that question honestly, it may well lead India toward the ultimate vision of a Swasth Bharat, Sundar Bharat and Saksham Bharat — a nation that is not just clean, but caring, modern and humane. (RK Saboo is a former Rotary International president and a long-time advocate of civic responsibility and social development.)
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
4,500 cities, towns joined 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan' this year: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday addressed the nation in his 124th 'Mann Ki Baat' episode, focusing on the importance of 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan' in ensuring cleanliness and waste management. "Sometimes a task comes across as impossible to some people. They wonder, would this even be possible? But, when the country comes together on one thought, even the impossible becomes possible. 'Swachh Bharat Mission' is the biggest example of this. Soon, this mission will complete 11 years. But, its strength and its need is still the same," an official release quoted PM Modi as saying. As the Swachh Bharat Mission nears its 11th anniversary, PM Modi stated that more than 4,500 cities and towns across the nation have joined the cleanliness movement this year. "In these 11 years, 'Swachh Bharat Mission' has become a mass movement. People consider it their duty, and this is real public participation. The Swachh Survey, conducted every year, has lifted this feeling further. More than 150 million people participated in it. This is not an ordinary number. This is the voice of Swachh Bharat," PM Modi said. Apprising the listeners of efforts made by people in Uttarakhand's Kirtinagar, the PM said that they have set a new example of waste management in the hills. "When it comes to cleanliness, our cities and towns are working in different ways according to their needs and surroundings. And their impact is not just limited to these cities; the whole country is adopting these methods. The people of Kirtinagar in Uttarakhand are setting a new example of waste management in the hills," PM Modi said in his address. He said that organic waste management was being done with the help of technology in Karnataka's Mangaluru. The PM also highlighted the efforts of locals in Arunachal Pradesh's Roing in managing waste by creating a park from recycled waste. "There is a small city called Roing in Arunachal. There was a time when waste management was a significant challenge to the health of the people. The people there took responsibility for it. 'Green Roing Initiative' was started, and then an entire park was created from recycled waste. Similarly, many new examples of water management have been set in Karad and in Vijayawada. The cleanliness at the River Front in Ahmedabad has also caught everyone's attention," PM Modi said. The PM praised the 'Sakartmak Soch' team working in Bhopal, comprising 200 women, who not only clear but also change mindsets. "A team in Bhopal is called 'Sakaratmak Soch'. It comprises 200 women. They don't just clean, they also change mindsets. Cleaning parks in the city together, distributing cloth bags, every step of theirs is a message. Owing to such efforts, Bhopal has now come a long way in the Swachh Survey. It is also important to mention the Gomti River team of Lucknow. Every Sunday for the last 10 years, tirelessly, without stopping, the members of this team are engaged in the cleanliness work," PM Modi said. "The example of Bilha in Chhattisgarh is also great. Here, women received training in waste management, and together, they transformed the city's landscape. The example of Panaji city in Goa is also inspiring. There, waste is divided into 16 categories, and that is also being led by women. Panaji has even received the President's award. Friends, cleanliness is not a one-time, one-day task. Only when we accord priority to cleanliness every day, every moment of the year, will the country remain clean," he added.
