Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday praised a city-wide cleanliness campaign in Surat involving more than one lakh people, describing the collected waste as the "most valuable gift" he had received during his visit. Speaking at a public gathering on the World Environment Day, PM Modi said residents had transformed a routine sanitation exercise into a civic movement that reflected the city's commitment to public participation and community responsibility.
"You welcomed me, presented various mementoes and gifts. But even more valuable than all these gifts is the priceless gift that Surat has given me. Surat has gifted me garbage," he added. The Prime Minister was referring to a five-day cleanliness campaign conducted ahead of his visit, in which more than one lakh residents reportedly participated.
"For me, this is a huge gift," he said, thanking those involved in the initiative. Prime Minister Modi said many people expected visiting leaders to receive ceremonial honours and expensive gifts, but Surat's decision to present the outcome of a cleanliness campaign sent a more meaningful message.
"People usually think that a Prime Minister should receive grand gifts during a welcome. But you are taking pride in gifting garbage," he added. According to Prime Minister Modi, the significance of the campaign lay not only in the waste collected but in the scale of public participation.
He noted that involvement by more than one lakh residents effectively represented the participation of more than one lakh families. "This is not merely a cleanliness campaign. It is a cultural festival for a healthy future," he said. The Prime Minister linked the campaign to Surat's long-standing reputation as one of India's cleanest cities.
He noted that despite repeatedly receiving national cleanliness awards, the city continued to undertake extensive sanitation drives rather than becoming complacent. "That is why I say Surat is not a city, Surat is a spirit," he said.
Prime Minister Modi recalled that Surat had undergone a dramatic transformation since the 1990s, when it struggled with public health challenges, and credited residents, civic authorities, elected representatives and municipal workers for sustaining improvements over the past two-and-a-half decades.
The remarks formed part of a broader World Environment Day message in which the Prime Minister emphasised public participation in environmental protection, waste management and sustainable urban development.