Page 23 - Mann Ki Baat English
P. 23
Way forward for the Indore’s example is reflective of the
fact that the people are at the core of a
Cleanest City in India progressive nation. It is indeed the
elements of 'Jan Bhagidari' (people's WATER CONSERVATION
It is rightly said, little drops make the
participation) and 'Jan Chetna'
mighty ocean. It is with the efforts of every
(people's awareness), put forth by the SAVE WATER, SAVE LIFE
individual that a significant change is
Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
brought about. A true exemplar is the
that have fast-tracked India’s progress
inspiring story of Indore - the city and its
in every sector and enhanced India's Since ancient times, water holds an
people. Upholding the virtues of Whatever we can do to save
position on the world stage. Be it
Swachhta, Indore has created a special every drop of water, we must do important place in India as it is believed
initiating the largest cleanliness drive
identity of its own when it comes to that at home. Centuries ago, to hold purifying and cleansing powers.
under Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, or
cleanliness and the people of Indore are Rahimdas ji had purposefully
administering the largest vaccination In Indian culture, making water
undoubtedly entitled to felicitations. said ‘Rahiman paani raakhiye,
drive during the COVID-19 pandemic, it
bin paani sab soon’. And in this available to the thirsty is considered as
Indore has remained at number one in is through Jan-Bhagidari and task of saving water, I have high one of the best ways to collect good
‘Swachh Bharat Ranking’ evaluated Jan-Andolan that India has reached hopes from children. Just as our
through the Swachh Survekshan for its greatest milestones. children made cleanliness a karma. The government of India,
many years. Over and beyond that, the through Jal Jeevan Mission is
Today, as the country is celebrating movement, they can help save
people of Indore have embarked upon
Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, we must water by becoming a ‘Water committed to provide safe and
the journey of transforming Indore into a Warriors’.
never let the resolve of Swachh Bharat adequate drinking water through
‘Water Plus City’ and are striving for it with
Abhiyan diminish and continue to
all their might. The citizens of Indore have Prime Minister Narendra Modi individual household tap connection to
serve as the responsible citizens of the
come forward and connected their (in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address) all rural households by 2024. The
nation by strengthening Jan -
drains with the sewer line. As a result, the
Bhagidari, taking one step closer to mission has already achieved the
polluted water draining into the
cleanliness with every passing day.
Saraswati and Kanh rivers has been I was pleasantly surprised by the milestone of providing drinking water to
considerably reduced. Ek Kadam Swachhata Ki Ore! Prime Minister’s mention of my 9 crore rural homes in less than 3 years.
efforts. More than an individual
effort, the recognition is a great
encouragement for volunteers' field
efforts to save the environment. It
was a true celebration of India’s
democracy where government and
civic society came together to
collaborate on such initiatives
Arun Krishnamurthy
Founder, Environmentalist
Foundation of India (EFI)
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