PM Modi plogged at a beach in Tamil Nadu hours before key meet with Xi Jinping.
Ahead of his second round of informal talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi went plogging on a beach in Mamallapuram, about 50 km from Chennai, in a 30-minute cleanliness drive this morning as he urged the people across the country to "ensure our public places are clean and tidy".
In a video tweeted by PM Modi, he is seen picking up litter at a beach near Taj Fisherman's Cove Resort and Spa where he is staying for the informal summit. "Plogging at a beach in Mamallapuram this morning. It lasted for over 30 minutes. Also handed over my 'collection' to Jeyaraj, who is a part of the hotel staff," he tweeted.
"Let us ensure our public places are clean and tidy! Let us also ensure we remain fit and healthy," PM Modi further wrote.
Plogging, a recreational activity which originated in Sweden, combines jogging with picking up litter.
In another tweet, PM Modi shared a few pictures where he is seen walking and exercising along the coast. "Refreshing walk and exercises in Mamallapuram, along the scenic coast," he wrote.
PM Modi held a one-on-one meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping this morning at the hotel where he is staying. After the meet, delegation-level talks are next n the agenda. PM Modi will then host lunch for the Chinese President.
Xi Jinping kicked off his two-day India visit on Friday as he met PM Modi in the historical coastal town of Mamallapuram, earlier known as Mahabalipuram. The two leaders bonded over a tour of the temples and agreed that India and China need to work together to fight "radicalisation and terrorism as common challenges", the government said in a statement.
Earlier this month, PM Modi, who launched the 'Swachh Bharat' cleanliness campaign in 2014, declared rural India open defecation-free on Gandhi Jayanti. He also highlighted the government's big cleanliness initiative.
Praising PM Modi today, Home Minister Amit Shah said "A true leader leads by example", referring to his resolve for a clean India.
"A true leader leads by example. We are grateful to PM @narendramodi ji for his untiring efforts towards cleanliness. Let us further his resolve for a Swachh and Samruddha Bharat," he tweeted.