Page 44 - NIS English 1-15 October, 2023

Flagship Scheme Swachh Bharat Mission

“Bindeshwar ji's guidance was very useful in

taking Swachh Bharat Mission to this height.”

-Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

A few hours after Prime Minister
Narendra Modi's address on the
occasion of the 77th Independence
Day celebrations, he was anguished
to receive information that Padma
Bhushan awardee Dr. Bindeshwar
Pathak, passed away at the All India
Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi.
As soon as he formed the government
in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi
had first declared cleanliness as his
mission and in the course of Swachh
Bharat Abhiyan, he also got inspiration
from the son of the soil of Bihar,
Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak.
Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak joined the
Bhangi Mukti Movement in Bihar and
abroad. With the establishment of I
launched a campaign which created have been watching his passion ever since I was in
a distinct identity in the country and Gujarat. Amidst the celebrations of Independence Day
on 15th August, it was very difficult for me to absorb the
Sulabh International, the entire news that Bindeshwar Pathak ji is no more. The demise
country is remembering him for of Bindeshwar ji, the founder of Sulabh International,
freeing people from open defecation who had an easy-going, simple and humble personality,
by building Sulabh Sanitation is an irreparable loss. I have been seeing the passion he
Complexes across the country. had for cleanliness ever since I was in Gujarat. When I
This year, on the birth anniversary came to Delhi, our communication with him on various
of Father of the Nation Mahatma subjects increased further. I remember, when I discussed
the topic of cleanliness from the Red Fort in 2014, how
Gandhi, the nation is celebrating the excited Bindeshwar ji became.
9th anniversary of Swachh Bharat He was associated with the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
Mission. Under this backdrop, Prime from day one. His efforts gave great strength to this
Minister Narendra Modi remembered campaign. We often hear One Life, One Mission, but
Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, as what it means is visible in the essence of Bindeshwar
son of Vaishali where democracy ji's life. He dedicated his entire life to cleanliness and
originated and a great source of related issues. Even at the age of 80, he was equally
inspiration for Swachh Bharat energetic in achieving his goals. In a way he was
Mission, after his demise. eternally young. Remained firm on the path on which
we had walked decades ago. Nowadays, if someone

42 New India Samachar October 1-15, 2023