Cleaning India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched his nationwide cleanliness campaign, the ‘Swachha Bharat Abhiyan’ or ‘Clean India Campaign’ from the Valmiki Basti on 2nd October, 2014. Addressing the nation at the launch, Modi asked 1.25 billion people to join the ‘ Swachha Bharat Abhiyan’ and promote it to everyone. Modi himself swept a pavement at Valmiki Basti, a colony of sanitary workers. Launching the campaign, Modi reminded the people that cleanliness is not only the responsibility of the ‘Safai Kamgars’ but also the responsibility of 1.25 billion Indians. The Prime Minister assured the nation that ‘Swachha Bharat Abhiyan’ is beyond politics.

The Prime Minister also started a social media campaign. He invited nine people to join the campaign and they would invite another nine people. He invited master blaster Sachin Tendulkar, Bolywood stars Aamir Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Salman Khan, Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev and industrialists like the Ambanis. The Prime Minister showed his deep concern at mothers and daughters going in the open to relieve themselves. More than 60% people in India defecate in the open. Constructing toilets in schools and villages, particularly for girls and women, would be the top priority for the government. The Prime Minister also pledged to people saying, “I would not litter and won’t allow anyone to do so”.The Ganga is not merely a river for all the Indians and more particularly to the Hindus, but it is the lifeline of India and the physical and spiritual nourisher of crores of its people. It is a symbol of India’s great heritage, ancient traditions, cultures, songs and stories. We can’t think of India without the Ganga and the Himalayas. Unfortunately, the sacred Ganga has become one of the most polluted rivers of the world in recent years. Fortunately, the Modi government has shown its commitment to clean and rejuvenate the Ganga. Uma Bharti heads a specially created ministry for cleaning the holy river. Cleaning the Ganga will be an unprecedented national social effort. What makes the Ganga a heavily polluted river? Various factors and causes contribute to make the river what it is. The worst criminals are more than one thousand industries that discharge their toxic wastes into the river. The government will have to take strict measures to treat solid and liquid discharges making them totally pollution free. The sewerage infrastructure will have to be exteftded and updated. The people residing on the banks will be involved and enlightened. Burning and throwing of dead bodies into the river must be stopped. Open defecation on the banks will have to be stopped.

Development of ghats at Kedamath, Haridwar, Varanasi, Kanpur, Allahabad and Patna is an important feature of the plan. Provisions for public amenities for pilgrims and tourists will be made. Inland waterways river navigation will be another priority. 

The Ganga enjoys a special place in the hearts of millions. In this unprecedented work, historian Sudipta Sen tells the fascinating story of the world's third-largest river from prehistoric times to the present.

Sen begins his chronicle with the river's first settlers, its myths of origin in Hinduism and its significance in popular Buddhism. He traces the communities that arose on its banks, the merchants that navigated its waters and the many empires that shaped the river's identity. Seamlessly weaving together geography, ecology and religious history, this lavishly illustrated volume paints a remarkable portrait of India's most sacred and beloved river.