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Context:
- Started on 15th August, 2014, It has been three years of the Swachh Bharat Mission.
- The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi called for an accelerated, nation-wide campaign termed Swachhata Hi Seva, from September 15 to October 2.
What is the progress of Swachh Bharat Mission in three years?
- Rural sanitation coverage has increased from 39 per cent to 70 per cent.
- As many as 250 million people, almost equal to the population of Indonesia, have stopped defecating in the open since the SBM began.
- Usage of the toilets built is over 90 per cent, according to a survey by the Quality Council of India.
- Good progress is also being made in urban areas.
What is Swachhata Hi Seva?
- The Prime Minister calls for Swachhata Hi Seva on September 15th, 2017.
- People have come together and cleaned public places like bus stands, railway stations, parks, monuments and places of historical and cultural importance.
- People also helped to construct twin-pit toilets for those who were unable to do so themselves.
- The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, along with the Indian Railways, also did its bit by participating in a cleanliness drive at the Railway Stations.
- Perhaps the most inspirational contribution to the Swachhata Hi Seva movement came from the officers and jawans of the Indian Army at the Siachen glacier, who carried out a cleanliness drive at the world’s highest battleground.
What is the significant effect of the mission?
- The Swachhata Hi Seva campaign has re-invigorated the spirit of cleanliness in everyone’s heart.
- It has already succeeded in making SBM a true jan andolan.
