October 2 is the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Porbandar, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, and nearly 170 towns in Gujarat, were today declared Open Defecation Free on the birth anniversary of the 'Father of the Nation'.
Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu urged the people to follow the call of Swachh Bharat Mission given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"As Mahatma Gandhi had said, for getting freedom we all need to be satyagrahi. Similarly, our PM has said we all need to be swachhgrahi for clean India. So all Gujaratis become swachhgrahi," he said in his address to people of Porbandar through video-conferencing.
"This is an interim gift to Mahatama Gandhi-ji and the final gift will be in 2019 when the entire country will be clean or swachhh," Mr Naidu added.
He also complimented Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, his ministers and officials after 170 towns of Gujarat were declared open defecation-free.
"Gujarat is the torch bearer and has set an example for others in swachhta (cleanliness)," the minister said.