Work Towards Achieving Goal of ‘Clean India’ by October 2, 2019: Venkaiah Naidu
Gadag: Vice-president M Venkaiah Naidu on Tuesday urged the people to work towards ending open defecation and join the “public movement” to achieve the goal of a ‘Clean India’ by October 2, 2019, the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
Gandhi had accorded the highest priority to sanitation and cleanliness and had famously said sanitation was more important than political freedom, Naidu said.
He was addressing a gathering at the inauguration of ‘Swachhta Hi Seva’ (sanitation campaign) and ‘Shudda Kudiyuva Neerina Ghataka’ (clean drinking water) project at Konnur Village in this district in north Karnataka.
Naidu also pointed out that the bad habit of disposing of excreta anywhere was the cause of many of the diseases.
Referring to a UNICEF report, Naidu said that good sanitation could save Rs 50,000 per year per family and lack of it also contributed to physical and cognitive stunting among children.
He pointed out that open defecation causes a serious threat to the safety of women and children.
Naidu said the number of Indians defecating in the open in rural and urban areas was estimated to have reduced to 30 crores from about 60 crores in 2014.
He added that over 2.45 lakh villages, 1,300 cities, 200 districts and five states have been declared open defecation free (ODF).
All villages along the banks of river Ganga have been declared ODF, he said.
Regarding the Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM), he said over 50 percent of urban wards have the door-to-door collection of municipal solid waste and nearly 100 MW energy was being produced from waste in the country.
Karnataka Governor Vajubhai Vala, Union minister of state for drinking water and sanitation Ramesh Jigajinagi, Karnataka Minister for rural development and Panchayat Raj H K Patil and MP P C Gaddigoudar were present on the occasion.
Our leaders in authority are just dreaming and making tall claims. It would have been truly great if the authorities appointed in every state and township were made to do their jobs, and be supervised for hands-on productivity. Otherwise penalized and replaced.
Our PM, Mr. Modi stated a few days ago that by 2018 all homes in villages in India will have electricity, without realizing that there are many conditions and costs involved for any individual home or family to obtain electricity to their home. Moreover, where there is electricity already, people are made to withstand erratic power cuts every day in the name of load shedding, constant breakdowns/repairs, and maintenance, etc. Udupi is one such example.
Our Vice President, Mr. Naidu is claiming to make India a clean country, without realizing that in towns such as Udupi or Mangalore one cannot find a single garbage bin in public areas or on main roads and streets, that would encourage people to throw wrappers, beverage/water bottles, etc.
When our Ex-President, Mr. Pranab Mukherji visited Udupi just two months ago, the Udupi Municipality gave a good eye wash by ensuring that every street and public place en route Sri Krishna Temple and Mr. B.R. Shetty’s state-of-the-art new hospital project, was swept clean and all garbage from roads collected and all shrubs trimmed, and even the incomplete Bi-Pass on NH66 at Karavali junction was tarred and made accessible to the main road leading to Manipal. All shops small and big were ordered shut for 2 days. Loads of money was spent on giving the Government Guest House, an instant face-lift, and get-up to impress the then President.
The next day after the President’s visit, the bi-pass was shut to the public, and the same dirt, filth, and garbage are seen now.
So why all this false show by the Karnataka government and Udupi Municipality. Why can’t all that is needed in India be regulated and be genuine!