Historic Audrey House of Ranchi will get a new name—Gandhi Smriti Bhawan, on the occasion of the 149th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation. Chief Minister Raghubar Das in the presence of Governor Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday announced this while paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.
The iconic structure built in 1854 by Captain Hannyington, then Deputy Commissioner of Chotanagpur, had once hosted Mahatma Gandhi in 1917 when he was on a nationwide tour to understand agrarian unrest all over.
Extending his gratitude to Mahatma Gandhi, the Chief Minister touched upon another subject closer to his heart. “I am proud to announce that Jharkhand has taken a major step in fulfilling dreams of Mahatma Gandhi and has attained 99 per cent ODF figure which was just 16 per cent four years ago. Awareness has come everywhere for sanitation. I am sure that the State would be completely free from open defecation on November 15 this year,” said the CM referring to the target Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave to declare country ODF on the 150th birth anniversary of the great leader.
The Governor also urged people to take cleanliness as mission while recalling the contributions of Mahatma Gandhi in world peace, non-violence and restoring human values. 144 prisoners were also freed on the occasion.
Later the CM visited Jhiki village of Lohardaga and sat with villagers in a ‘chaupal’. He stressed over using the toilets built so that the actual goal of the Swachh Bharat Mission was achieved.
“We have to make problem-free villages. Facilities in rural areas in terms of sanitation, electricity, health, education etc should be in the lines of towns. Contribution from people is needed for that. Everyone in the village should ensure that all the toilets constructed are being used properly,” the CM told villagers.
The CM on the occasion lauded the role played by Sahiyas, Women SHG, ANMs etc in making Jharkhand cleaner which is near to become completely ODF about a year ahead of the target and announced to make provision of perks for them.
“This has become possible only because of the contributions of people power and Government power coming together. There are few villages where the task is yet to be completed. We have sent letters to all DCs to conducted survey by November 15 and ensure toilet construction in every village and every household. I myself am monitoring the progress,” the CM said.
Particularly addressing women gathered there in good numbers, Raghubar Das said the provision of toilet is directly linked with their pride, self-respect and security which came at top priority during the incumbent NDA rule at the Center. “Gandhi ji had in 1901 talked about sanitation and cleanliness in villages. Several Governments came and went during the last 67 years after independence but it is the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi this has gained so much momentum and attained great success,” said the CM.
He also talked about gram swaraj, another idea the father of the nation had propagated passionately, and called on villagers to participate in developmental activities and plan making exercises.