New Delhi : With Prime Minister Narendra Modi launching the Clean India Campaign Thursday, cleanliness drives were witnessed across ministries, government offices and other buildings.
In the defence ministry, Secretary (Defence Production) G. Mohan Kumar administered the pledge to all officers and staff and a cleaning drive was then undertaken in parts of the South Block office of the ministry.
A statement from the army said the cleanliness drive was conducted at all army establishments and formations from Sep 25 to Oct 02.
The army chief, General Dalbir Singh addressed the staff at Sena Bhavan here and urged all present to be “ambassadors in the cleanliness drive”.
Navy Chief Admiral R.K. Dhowan also administered the oath to the naval staff.
Admiral Dhawan said in a statement that to have the much needed “green footprint,” the Indian Navy has adopted several green norms in the infrastructure and community living projects, which include green buildings, waste recycling and management, water conservation and harvesting, and renewable energy.
Power Minister Piyush Goyal announced construction of one lakh toilets in schools by PSUs under his ministries within a year.
Information and Broadcasting, and Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar also wielded a broom at his office, and released the audio track for the campaign.
Javadekar, in a cleaning drive at Shastri Bhawan which houses many ministries, was accompanied by well-known lyricist Prasoon Joshi, singer Kailash Kher and music director Vishal Khurana.
Health Minister Harsh Vardhan launched a cleanliness drive along with Railway Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda at New Delhi Railway Station.
Harsh Vardhan also undertook a surprise inspection at the Lady Hardinge Hospital in Delhi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday wielded the broom, symbolically, at a place where Mahatma Gandhi once stayed to launch a unique nationwide campaign that seeks to change the mindset of the Indian people, and clean up the country in five years time.
Several other ministers wielded brooms and started the campaign during the past week in their respective offices.