ESSO - Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services

SWACHH BHARAT ABHIYAAN EK KADAM SWACHHATA KI ORE

Mahatma Gandhi as India's most prominent leader and social activist, always stressed the importance of cleanliness and sanitation in respect to combating disease and the progress of society as a whole. Moreover, Gandhiji visualized cleanliness as having three dimensions - a clean mind, a clean body and clean surroundings. He recognised that attitudes towards cleanliness directly reflect general outlook in society and he strongly believed in achieving cleanliness through community participation.

The Nation-wide 5-year Swachch Bharat Abhiyan was launched by Hon'ble PM Narendra Modi on Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary- 2^nd October, 2014. The mission is aimed at successfully achieving 'Clean India' by the 150^th birth anniversary of the Mahatma in 2019. The mission consists of both cleanliness drives and awareness programmes coupled with required boosts to infrastructure. Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan also promotes that all citizens should devote 100 hours every year towards the cause of cleanliness. More details at https://india.gov.in/spotlight/swachh-bharat-abhiyaan-ek-kadam-swachhata-ki-ore

Completing this "Clean India" mission successfully, would be the most apt way to commemorate Gandhiji's special Anniversary, making his dream manifest - of progress through cleanliness.

ESSO-INCOIS as an active participant in this important mission, is conducting regular short programmes and cleanliness drives within the campus as well as surrounding areas to boost awareness about the various benefits and requirements of cleanliness, within the community.