New Delhi turned out in force for a hands-on push toward cleaner rivers on Thursday, as part of the Swachhata Hi Seva 2025 campaign. The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, organized a bustling cleanliness drive at Kalindi Kunj Ghat near Okhla Barrage. The event’s theme, “Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath” (One Day, One Hour, Together), spotlighted how everyday people can team up for real environmental wins.
Top officials jumped right in, showing that river cleanup needs everyone—from leaders to locals. Union Minister for Jal Shakti C.R. Patil led the charge, joined by Minister of State V. Somanna and staff from the ministry and NMCG. Patil tied the effort to the birth anniversary of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay, stressing the nationwide Yamuna River cleaning push. “Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guidance, alongside Home Minister Amit Shah, Delhi’s Chief Minister, and Haryana’s Chief Minister, we’re tackling pollution head-on,” Patil said. He pointed out quick gains: the Yamuna, once buried under waste, now flows more visibly. The ministry has short-term, medium-term, and long-term plans in motion to stop new pollution and restore the river. “I’m confident we’ll soon see a clean Yamuna again, just as our people expect.”
Somanna echoed the call to action, urging folks to keep the momentum going at home. He shared his recent trip to Ganga Nagar and Yamuna Nagar to check on conditions there. “This campaign is spot-on, and we need more like it for the Ganga too,” he said. “Our teams, inspired by Modi’s vision and Patil’s leadership, are making it happen together.”
The one-hour shramdaan (voluntary labor) drew crowds of citizens, students, NGOs, and community groups, turning the ghat into a lively hub of activity. It felt like a true people’s movement for river conservation and a greener India.
Ashok K.K. Meena, Secretary in the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation at the Ministry of Jal Shakti, explained the bigger picture. “We’re celebrating Swachhotsav 2025 nationwide from September 17 to October 2,” he noted. “On the 25th, from 8 to 9 a.m., departments like Namami Gange and self-help groups kicked off this focused cleanliness hour.”
NMCG Director General Rajeev Kumar Mital highlighted the campaign’s spirit. “We treat these 15 days as a festival of cleanliness, blending awareness drives with on-the-ground work,” he said. “Prime Minister Modi calls on everyone to give a few hours weekly to cleaning efforts. The heart of it all? Getting people to value our rivers and step up to protect them.”
This Swachhata Hi Seva 2025 event underscores India’s ongoing commitment to reviving the Ganga, Yamuna, and other vital waterways. With leaders, communities, and organizations uniting, these drives blend education and effort to build a healthier future—one river at a time.
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