In a significant move to enhance the Government’s ongoing cleanliness initiative, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, urged ministries and departments to transform this drive into a mass movement. The call came during a high-level review meeting on the implementation of Special Campaign 5.0 held recently.
Dr. Singh emphasized the need for a paradigm shift from merely symbolic efforts to institutionalizing cleanliness, space optimization, and record management in day-to-day governance. He said, “We should integrate technology, community engagement, and private sector collaboration to ensure that the campaign sustains itself throughout the year.”
Highlighting the potential of corporate partnerships, the Minister supported leveraging collaborations through NASSCOM to bring innovative waste management solutions, particularly in urban clusters, hotels, and government establishments. He mentioned that the integration of digital technologies and smart recycling models, including automated waste segregation and electronic scrap management, can enhance operational efficiency while generating new livelihood opportunities.
Dr. Jitendra Singh pointed out the importance of sharing best practices across different ministries. He proposed documenting successful cleanliness models and disseminating them nationally through a central repository. “We must identify innovative initiatives such as electronic file disposal and smart waste reuse to set new governance benchmarks,” he stressed.
Emphasizing the role of youth and women in this mass movement, Dr. Singh stated that their involvement would inject renewed energy and creativity into the campaign. He remarked, “When young people and women join the movement, it becomes more vibrant and impactful.” He urged that Swachhata messages be amplified through schools, colleges, and My Bharat volunteers to nurture a culture of collective responsibility.
Reflecting on the achievements of previous editions, Dr. Jitendra Singh noted that the Special Campaign has evolved from a short-term cleanliness drive into a transformative governance model that promotes efficiency, transparency, and citizen-centric administration. He reiterated the Government’s commitment to sustaining this momentum under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He announced that innovative practices emerging from the campaign would be shared with States, PSUs, and autonomous bodies.
Echoing these sentiments, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, highlighted the need for behavioural change and youth participation to achieve the vision of “Swachh Bharat.” He proposed appointing student and youth ambassadors from colleges and universities to raise awareness and motivate local communities to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.
The meeting saw participation from notable officials, including V. Srinivas, Secretary of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, and Sarita Chuhan, Joint Secretary of the same department, along with senior representatives from allied organizations.
As the campaign gathers momentum, the collective efforts of various stakeholders promise to give new life to the cleanliness drive, fostering an environment of accountability and shared responsibility that resonates across urban and rural landscapes alike.
