More than 94% of rural households across the country have now been declared open defecation free in comparison to just 39% when the mission was launched four years ago. The PM’s deadline to eradicate open defecation in the country is Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary on October 2, 2019. “Between swachhata (cleanliness) and swatantrata (independence), Gandhiji said he would give priority to swachhata ,” said the Prime Minister, adding that he had raised the issue at the Red Fort four years ago because of Gandhiji’s inspiration. Mindset change among the people was the first step, he said, pointing out that once a jan andolan had been started, it would have a domino effect on the country and the world. As part of the strategy to monitor progress and reward excellence, awards were given to Haryana, which was declared the cleanest State in a 2018 survey of rural India, while Satara district in Maharashtra was declared the cleanest district. Kicking off Gandhiji’s 150th year celebrations, Mr. Modi also released the country’s first circular stamps featuring the Mahatma. A fusion version of his favourite bhajan ‘ Vaishnav Jan To Tene Kahiye Je, ’ recorded in the musical styles of 124 different countries was also released.
Source : https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/mindset-change-has-fuelled-swachh-success/article25106970.ece
