Gandhi Jayanti: India celebrates Mahatma Gandhi's 148th birth anniversary today
The nation today remembered Mahatma Gandhi on his 148th birth anniversary, with President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders paying floral tributes to him at his memorial in New Delhi. Every year, the nation pays homage to Mahatma Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who was fondly called
Bapu, on his birth anniversary on October 2, which is also known as Gandhi Jayanti. Born in 1869 in Gujarat's Porbandar, Mahatma Gandhi had his early political training in South Africa while working among the local Indian community facing discrimination. October 2 is also the birth anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri, the second prime minister of the country. He had given the famous slogan
'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan' (Hail the Soldier, Hail the Farmer).
Here are the highlights from PM Modi's speech on the third anniversary of the Clean India campaign:
The Prime Minister concluded his speech saying "I congratulate all those who supported and took part in the Swachhata Hi Seva movement. I keep saying- this is the start. We should continue the momentum built by the movement"
Speaking on the condition of rural India, the Prime Minister said "People in villages still go out in the open to defecate. Not only is it unhygienic and harmful, it is also unsafe and a matter of shame. Should our mothers, sisters, wife and daughters face such a situation, where they have to go out in the open? We must have a toilet at home and we must use it."
The Prime Minister said "Let us start with our homes. Ask yourselves. Are you used to leaving things around for someone else to pick up and put in its place? Think about the mother in a house, who ensures that her home is clean and hygienic. you might leave something lying around, but she always puts it back where it belongs. We must start from there. Do your bit at home. ensure it is clean. don't depend on others to do the work that you should be doing."
"The duty and responsibility of cleanliness is a feeling of doing something not just for ourselves, but for others. We must ensure we leave the space we are in clean for the next person." PM Modi said.
PM Modi said "The Swachh Bharat Mission is about both 'Vyavastha' (systems) and 'Vichar' (thought process and mindset)"
PM Modi, comparing India to other countries, said "I have met several people, and I'm certain you all would have met such people too, who say their trip abroad left them awestruck by how clean cities and towns and villages abroad were. People say that the streets are spotless. Everything was so clean."
"I ask them 'Did you see people throwing garbage?', they say no. I say that is what our problem is. That is what needs to be changed. And ultimately that change will come from each individual."
Giving an example, PM Modi said "Observe a man who goes to a railway station or elsewhere where there are 4 or 5 benches to sit on out of which 2 or 3 are dirty, you'll see the person will always automatically go and sit on the cleanest bench of them all. It is something that comes to all of us from within."
Citing every person's subconscious want for cleanliness, he urged the citizens of the country to ensure cleanliness around them.
The Prime Minister stressed on the benefits of a clean India, saying "Cleanliness is something we all desire. Even when we're busy doing other things, we subconsciously look out for cleanliness. Therefore it is a natural instinct for us to be clean and want cleanliness."
PM Modi called on the people of the country to come together to work towards a Clean India, saying "A Mahatma Gandhi might come along, a Narendra Modi might come along, hundreds of Gandhis might come along, but the dream for a Swachh Bharat (Clean India) will never come true. But if 125 crore Indians come along, nothing can stop a Clean India from becoming a reality."
Speaking on his Swachh Bharat campaign, PM Modi said "When I said come out and participate in activities for cleaning your surroundings, lots of people complained and criticized saying you have spoiled a holiday for children"
He said he had patiently heard out what people had to say, adding that he as learned how to be patient over time.
In the run-up to the Clean India anniversary, the prime minister had sought feedback on the campaign. "Do take part in the 'Swachhata Samvad' on the NM (Narendra Modi) App and share what you feel about aspects of Swachh Bharat Mission," he had tweeted.
This is the third anniversary of the Clean India campaign, which was announced by the Prime Minister in 2014. On the occasion, he had promised universal cleanliness by 2021. The Clean India message will be underscored with a host of programmes across the nation, in which Chief Ministers, sports and Bollywood icons and the civil society will join in. A number of awards will be given out for the efforts on individual and corporate levels for efforts to uphold the Clean India campaign.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation at 11 am today on the third anniversary of his flagship 'Swachh Bharat' or 'Clean India' campaign and the 148th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. He will address the nation from Vigyan Bhavan for the "Swachhta Diwas" celebrations.
Prime Minister Modi also remembered Lal Bahadur Shastri on his birth anniversary. The prime minister also tweeted a video paying tribute to Lal Bahadur Shastri.
Remembering Mahatma Gandhi on his 148th birth anniversary today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: "I bow to beloved Bapu on Gandhi Jayanti. His noble ideals motivate millions across the world." He also shared a short video paying homage to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi.
October 2 is also the birth anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri, the second prime minister of India. He had given the famous slogan 'Jai Jawan Jai Kisan' (Hail the Soldier, Hail the Farmer).
Born in 1869 in Gujarat's Porbandar, Mahatma Gandhi had his early political training in South Africa while working among the local Indian community facing discrimination.
The nation today remembered Mahatma Gandhi on his 148th birth anniversary, with President Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders giving floral tributes to him at his memorial in New Delhi. Every year, the nation pays homage to Mahatma Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who was fondly called Bapu, on his birth anniversary on October 2, which is also known as Gandhi Jayanti.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is at Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi
Former prime minister Manmohan Singh was also among the firsts to reach Rajghat.
BJP veteran Lal Krishna Advani paying tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat
