ITANAGAR, Oct 4 � Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen Nirbhay Sharma (Retd) flagged off the �Swachh Bharat Abhiyan� at the Raj Bhawan here on Thursday by administering the �Swachh� pledge to a big gathering comprising government officials, youths, students and people from various sections of the society.
The Governor expressed hope that the occasion will guide the countrymen towards Gandhiji�s path of truth, non-violence and cleanliness.
Reminding the people that Mahatma Gandhi dedicated his life for freedom of the country and strengthening communal harmony, the Governor said that Gandhiji also advocated for cleanliness and good habits. Gandhiji considered cleanliness next to Godliness and called sanitation more important than political freedom.
Lt Gen Sharma said to realise Gandhi�s dream of �Clean India�, the Government of India is launching �Swachh Bharat Abhiyan� on this occasion. It is the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to have a five-year programme to make our country clean, he said.
The goal to achieve Swachh Bharat by October 2, 2019 will be a fitting tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary. The task may appear to be mammoth, but is do-able and must be accomplished to see a healthy and vibrant India.
Expressing happiness that large number of people turned up with enthusiasm to participate in the cleanliness drive, the Governor advised them to continue the momentum until the goal was realised.
Emphasising that all the people have equal stakes in it and owe it to the future generations as well, the Governor exhorted all to rise and be in the forefront of the campaign. He urged every citizen to devote at least two hours every week towards cleanliness while stating that the country beckons all to fulfil their obligation to the motherland.
PTI adds: Meghalaya joined the rest of the country by taking part in the Swachh Bharat Mission with cleanliness drives launched across the State to commemorate Gandhi Jayanti.
State Governor KK Paul administered the cleanliness pledge to a gathering comprising Cabinet Ministers, senior government officials, public and school students held at the Polo Grounds here.
Speaking on the occasion, Paul urged the citizens of the State to join the campaign to make clean and green environment.
The highlights of the day included presentations of certificates for Green volunteers under the Mission Green to 44 youths who have shown exemplary performance to make clean and green Meghalaya, distribution of prizes to the winners of Swachh Bharat Run organised by the Sports and Youth Affairs Department followed by planting of tree saplings by the Governor and other dignitaries around the Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex.
Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla launched the �Swachh Bharat Abhiyan� at a function in front of Mahatma Gandhi�s statue in the centre of Mahatma Gandhi Square here on Thursday.
Lal Thanhawla, his cabinet colleagues, legislators and top officials, wearing white headgears swept the main road in the Mahatma Gandhi Square to mark the beginning of Cleanliness Week and also launching of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
Meanwhile, the launching of the Abhiyan and observance of the Cleanliness week was undertaken in all villages and urban areas across the State.
Organised by the village councils in the villages and local councils in the Aizawl Municipal Council area, local residents participated in voluntary cleaning of their respective villages and localities.
