In commemoration of Mahatma Gandhi’s 154th birth anniversary, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has called upon the citizens of the state to offer a special tribute to the Father of the Nation through a one-hour ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ (Cleanliness is Service) campaign on October 1.
The chief minister emphasised the importance of community participation in the ‘Kachra Mukt Bharat’ initiative, a vision put forth by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Under this initiative, every resident of the state is urged to actively participate in a one-hour cleanliness drive on October 1. This collective effort will serve as a ‘Swachhataanjali’ (Tribute to Cleanliness) to Mahatma Gandhi on the eve of his birth anniversary.
In a high-level meeting held on Friday, the chief minister reviewed preparations for the cleanliness campaign scheduled for October 1 and provided necessary guidance and instructions for its successful execution.
As part of the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ fortnight, a 154-hour cleanliness drive is underway across all urban bodies in the state. The campaign aims to enhance awareness of cleanliness and is being organised in collaboration with Swachh Sarathi Clubs, which are conducting programmes in universities and colleges.
The campaign includes cleaning public spaces. Citizens are encouraged to actively participate in this endeavour to ensure that their surroundings are clean and hygienic.
The chief minister also stressed on the importance of enforcing restrictions on the use of banned plastic items and encouraged citizens to adopt eco-friendly practices.
In the run-up to the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign, special preparations are being made by all urban bodies, gram panchayats and district panchayats. A dedicated meeting for this purpose is scheduled to take place on Saturday.
Additionally, on October 1, schoolchildren from primary and secondary schools across the state will take part in a ‘Prabhatferi’  to spread the message of ‘Swachhata Hi Seva.’ After the procession, students and teachers will be responsible for maintaining cleanliness in and around their schools, ensuring the availability of clean drinking water, and arranging refreshments for the participants.
The success of the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign hinges on the continuous efforts and active participation of all stakeholders. Therefore, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has called on representatives of various organisations, businesses, non-governmental organisations, social and cultural groups, self-help groups, RWAs, and citizens to join hands and make the campaign a resounding success.
The chief minister emphasised that cleanliness is not just a government initiative but a civic duty, and it should be imbibed as a way of life. He also called for strict enforcement against the use of banned plastic items and encouraged responsible waste management practices.