Haryana Chief Minister Sh Nayab Singh Saini on Monday launched a state-wide cleanliness drive from Panchkula, with the aim of taking Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi's Swachh Bharat Abhiyan message to every household and creating widespread public awareness about cleanliness. On the occasion, the Chief Minister personally participated in the drive and urged people to make cleanliness a mass movement.
The Chief Minister launched the campaign by sweeping the area in front of the main market in Sector-20, Panchkula. While participating in the cleanliness drive, he appealed to citizens to maintain a clean and healthy environment.
He also spread awareness about the scientific and proper disposal of waste by personally collecting garbage and loading it onto a cart. As part of the programme, he also planted a sapling, highlighting the importance of environmental conservation.
Interacting with media persons, Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that cleanliness is not the responsibility of the government alone but a collective responsibility of every citizen. He urged people to actively contribute to keeping their homes, neighbourhoods, markets, and public places clean while ensuring proper waste management.
The Chief Minister said that, inspired by Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi's call for cleanliness, people across the country have embraced cleanliness as an integral part of their daily lives. He informed that Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Haryana on July 17. In view of the visit, it has been decided to conduct a comprehensive cleanliness drive across Haryana from July 13 to July 17, which was launched from Panchkula on Monday.
He said Ministers, Members of Parliament (MPs), Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), local public representatives, and party office-bearers would actively participate in the campaign across the state to further strengthen the vision of a clean and developed India envisioned by the Prime Minister.
Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi's visit to Haryana is a matter of pride for the people of the state. He said that during the visit, the Prime Minister would flag off a hydrogen-powered train and inaugurate as well as lay the foundation stones for several development projects.
Replying to a question, the Chief Minister said the world is witnessing the adverse effects of climate change. He said that, keeping this in view, Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi launched the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, encouraging every citizen to plant and nurture at least one sapling in honour of their mother.
The Chief Minister appealed to the people of the state to participate in the campaign by planting at least one sapling and nurturing it until it grows into a full-fledged tree. He said large-scale tree plantation would help create a cleaner environment, reduce air pollution, and improve public health, thereby contributing to the prevention of various diseases.
The Chief Minister said he has pledged to plant at least 100 saplings wherever he visits. In keeping with this commitment, he also participated in a plantation drive in Panchkula today.
Among those present on the occasion were former Haryana Assembly Speaker Sh Gian Chand Gupta, Mayor Panchkula Sh Shyam Lal Bansal, Executive Vice-Chairman of the Haryana Shivalik Development Board Sh Om Prakash Devinagar, BJP State Vice-President Smt. Banto Kataria, Deputy Commissioner Sh Satpal Sharma, other dignitaries, and a large number of citizens.