India shows Unity in ‘Swachh Bharat Campaign’

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the ‘Swachh Bharat Campaign’ with much fanfare on the auspicious occasion of Gandhi Jayanti today, the campaign became non-political as per his wishes with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress Party and many others joining the efforts. People across India, cutting across the party lines and political affiliation, joined the campaign.

Some critics questioned the move, saying it’s doubtful whether it will succeed or become a one-day show in the end. However, the PM allayed all fears and apprehensions, saying he takes full responsibility for the campaign and will leave no stones unturned to make it a huge success. He himself wielded the broom and swept the area at Valmiki Basti and then the Mandir Marg Police Station in New Delhi.

The ‘Clean India’ mission received tremendous response from all states irrespective of which party is in power. The central government employees took up the broom and vowed to continue the cleanliness drive. The entire project may exceed Rs 62,009 crore, it is believed. The PM acknowledged the efforts of all previous government in providing cleanliness and sanitation across the country and promised not to let their hard work go in waste.

The five-year-long ‘Swachh Bharat’ campaign is Narendra Modi’s pet project and he has decided to monitor it on a regular basis. A lot of other initiatives will be taken soon to ensure its success. The ‘Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan’ launched by the UPA Government, will be merged with this campaign. Although many previous government had initiated such campaigns in the past, no Prime Minister had led from the front with a broom like Narendra Modi. As he is the most popular leader of the country today, whatever he says, will be followed and adopted by millions. Also, everyone including the government officials and common people will take his words seriously, as they know Modi means business.

On the lines of ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’, Modi invited nine eminent people to join the Swachh Bharat Campaign and urged them to start a chain, which would spread across social media. Modi’s list of elite nine, included Goa Governor Mridula Sinha, yoga guru Baba Ramdev, cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, actor Salman Khan, actor Priyanka Chopra, industrialist Anil Ambani, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, legendary actor Kamal Hasaan and crew of TV serial Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah.