Young Indians are biggest stakeholders of the Swachh Bharat movement says Rajeev Chandrasekhar

#SwachhataHiSeva Campaign 2023 Union Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Electronics & IT, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, actively participated in the “Swachhata Hi Seva” campaign at New Delhi’s Safdarjung Railway Station . This marked the ‘Ek Tareekh, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath’ Shramdaan activity, underscoring a collective effort towards a cleaner India.

In homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his 154th birth anniversary, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi initiated the nationwide citizen-centric movement, ‘Ek Tareekh, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath.’ This served as a rallying call for citizens and government officials alike to dedicate one hour to a cleanliness drive on October 1.

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship led this initiative across its ecosystem, comprising Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras (PMKKs), National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs), National Institute of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), and Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) Guwahati, along with its other centers in the northeastern region.

The cleanliness drive encompassed Sarojini Nagar Market, Commonwealth Games Park, Safdarjung Railway Station (tracks and surroundings), and various other locations in New Delhi. A total of 1345 events were organized through the dedicated portal for the ‘Shramdaan for Swachhata’ drive across institutions nationwide.

Minister Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar, along with ministry officials, staff, and members of allied divisions, devoted an hour of their time to contribute to this citizen-led ‘Shramdaan for Swachhata’ initiative, aligning with the vision of achieving a ‘garbage-free India.’

Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar emphasized, “Over the past 9 years, PM Modi has worked towards much-needed initiatives to bring about a shift in our collective behaviour as citizens after decades of challenges. It’s encouraging to see so many Indians enthusiastically participating and believing in this vision of Swachh Bharat Mission. This change in behaviour has proven helpful, especially during challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic.” He further highlighted that young Indians are pivotal stakeholders in the ‘Swachh Bharat Mission,’ taking on the responsibility of advancing PM Shri Narendra Modi’s vision.

“Young Indians are the biggest stakeholders of the Swachh Bharat movement. They have taken the responsibility to take forward PM Modi’s vision. From the Red Fort’s ramparts, PM Shri Narendra Modi launched this mission to transform India into Swachh Bharat. It aimed to transform our way of life, creating a deep behavioural change among all citizens. He talked about ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas Sabka Vishwas Sabka Prayas,’ showcasing how Indians rallied behind his vision for a Swachh Bharat,” the minister further added.

Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari emphasized that from a skilling perspective, ‘Swachhata’ also requires a specialized skill set. For instance, solid waste management necessitates skills for effective waste segregation. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has been providing training, in collaboration with local bodies and state governments, in areas of cleanliness. The focus is also on empowering workers with knowledge of modern machinery for enhanced societal outcomes.