NEW DELHI: Now, spiritual leaders would be involved in creating awareness about Swachch Bharat Mission. And PM Narendra Modi, who reviewed the efforts made to generate awareness and bring in attitudinal change towards cleanliness on Thursday, said that spiritual leaders should be associated with such efforts, especially during major congregational events such as the Jagannath Yatra and the Kumbh Mela.
In fact, the stock-taking exercise by the PM came at a a high-level meeting comprising top officials of the Ministries of Urban Development, Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation, Niti Aayog and PMO. According to Modi said motivational incentives such as awards should also be instituted through official channels. In the rural areas, the Prime Minister suggested quiz competitions among students to promote awareness.
The PM was briefed on the progress made in building toilets in all the states. After comprehensively reviewing the situation, the Prime Minister directed the officers concerned to specially coordinate with the states which are lagging in toilet construction.
Reviewing the Namaami Gange programme, he also directed that construction of toilets in habitations on the banks of the Ganga should receive top priority.
Besides, the PM called for leveraging the huge interest that Swachh Bharat has generated among Indian diaspora. Minister for Urban Development M Venkaiah Naidu and Minister for Rural Development Chaudhary Birender Singh were present on the occasion.
PM Invited to Nepal Meet
Nepal has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take part in the donor’s conference to be hosted in Kathmandu later this month for international funding for its extensive post-earthquake rehabilitation programme.
A morning phone call from the Nepal Prime Minister Sushil Koirala was to make a personal request to attend the June 25 event, with the formal invitation delivered by Kathmandu’s Finance Minister Ram Chandra Mahat in his meeting with Modi later in the day.
Thanking Koirala for the invite, the PM said that he will try to participate if his schedule permitted, with a senior ministerial presence from India certainly assured. He also committed himself that India would give “unwavering and sustained support to Nepal in itsrehabilitation and reconstruction efforts, guided by the preference and priorities of Government of Nepal”.
“He assured Prime Minister Koirala that India would respect and be with Nepal in all its decisions in this regard. The Prime Minister reaffirmed that India has always been guided by humanitarian concerns in a spirit of equality and friendship,” said the news release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.