"Swachhata is like a ritual in their life": PM Modi hails cleanliness culture in Northeast India

Guwahati: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today lauded the Northeast Indians for the cleanliness culture that he feels is a "ritual in their life and society."

Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 'Rashtriya Swachhata Kendra', an interactive experience centre on the Swachh Bharat Mission, in New Delhi on Saturday.

After visiting different sections of the RSK located at Raj Ghat, the prime minister interacted with 36 school students, representing the 36 states and union territories, at the amphitheater. He lauded the children for following social distancing norms and wearing masks to curb the spread of Covid-19.

During his interaction, the PM referenced the cleanliness and hygiene followed by the people of the Northeast Indian states as a clear example of "swacchta". Responding to a query, Modi said that "we have a lot to learn from the Northeast." The Prime Minister further added that people in North-East India give a lot of importance to cleanliness. Swachhata is like a ritual in their life and society, Modi said, praising his Northeast Indian brethren. Swacch Bharat Mission or the cleanliness drive has been a big support in the fight against coronavirus, PM Modi said.

A tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, the Rashtriya Swachhata Kendra (RSK) was first announced by the prime minister on April 10, 2017, on the occasion of the centenary celebrations of Gandhiji's Champaran 'satyagraha'. In his visit to the 'Kendra', PM Modi also watched a short video on 'Swachh Bharat Mission'.

"We all are a part of a campaign now, 'Gandagi, Bharat Chorho'. I am glad that all of us, including the children present here, are following social distancing norms and wearing masks, to control the spread of Covid-19," PM Modi told the students.

While speaking about Mahatma Gandhi, also known as 'father of our nation', the PM stated that the entire world is now coming forward to adopt his values. "The whole world is coming forward to adopt the values and principals of Mahatma Gandhi. When Gandhi Ji's 150th birth anniversary was celebrated last year, that was unprecedented. Singers of different countries learned and sung his favorite song 'Vaishnav Jan To'," he stated.

He also added that "8 Aug has a great significance in India's struggle for independence. Under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, a slogan of 'Quit India' was given."

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