Page 45 - NIS English 1-15 October, 2023

Swachh Bharat Mission Flagship Scheme

makes a film on a topic like toilet, then discussion
starts about it. People start wondering whether
this is also a topic? We can imagine how difficult
it must have been for Bindeshwar ji to work on a
subject like toilet at that time.
He had to go through many struggles, people
even ridiculed him, but his commitment to social
service was so great that he devoted his life to this
noble cause. A major contribution of Bindeshwar
ji was that he provided an institutional solution
to Gandhi ji's ideas of cleanliness. I think this is
a very good subject of study for management
students. No matter how big the idea is, if it is not
implemented properly then that idea becomes
irrelevant and meaningless. Bindeshwar ji turn
the idea of cleanliness into an institution in a very
innovative way. Through Sulabh International, he
gave such an economic model to the society, which
no one could even imagine. Today, as a result of his to this height. The scope of Bindeshwar ji's
hard work, many types of models of Sulabh toilets social work went beyond cleanliness. He also did
were made and this organization expanded to every many works related to women empowerment in
corner of the country. Vrindavan, Kashi, Uttarakhand and other areas.
Our today's young generation should also learn Bindeshwar ji launched big campaigns especially
the dignity of labour from the life of Bindeshwar to help those destitute women who had no one to
Pathak ji. Neither any work nor any person was support. I remember another incident related to the
small for him. His efforts to provide a dignified life dedication of Bindeshwar ji.
to our brothers and sisters engaged in sanitation Bindeshwar ji was also in the committee
work have been praised all over the world. I that decided the name for Gandhi Peace Prize.
remember, when I washed the feet of the cleaning Once the meeting of this committee was fixed,
brothers and sisters, Bindeshwar ji became so Bindeshwar ji was on a foreign trip at that time. As
emotional that he discussed that incident with soon as he came to know about this meeting, he
me for a long time. I am satisfied that Swachh said that I should come back immediately. Then I
Bharat Abhiyan has today become a symbol of had requested him to send his suggestions from
dignified life for the poor. Many such reports have abroad. After much insistence he agreed to my
also come which have proved that due to Swachh request. This shows how conscious Bindeshwar ji
Bharat Abhiyan, common people are getting was towards his duties. Today, when Bindeshwar
freedom from diseases caused by dirt and the path Pathak ji is not physically among us, we have to
to a healthy life is opening up. The World Health reiterate the pledge of cleanliness as a tribute to
Organization has also said that due to the Swachh him. To achieve the goal of a developed India, it
Bharat Mission, deaths of three lakh people have is very important that India should be clean and
been prevented in the country. healthy. For this, we will have to continuously carry
Not only this, UNICEF has even said that due to forward the efforts of Bindeshwar ji. This journey
Swachh Bharat Mission, the poor are saving up to from clean India to healthy India, healthy India
Rs 50 thousand every year. If there was no Swachh to harmonious India, harmonious India to strong
Bharat Mission, the poor would have had to spend India, strong India to prosperous India will be the
the same amount of money in the treatment of most vibrant journey of Amrit Kaal. Yes, I will miss
diseases caused by dirt. Bindeshwar ji's guidance Bindeshwar ji a lot during this journey. Once again
was very useful in taking Swachh Bharat Mission a humble tribute to him. n

New India Samachar October 1-15, 2023 43