Urging citizens to rededicate themselves to the ideals and values of Mahatma Gandhi, President Ram Nath Kovind said the Mahatma’s “philosophy of non-violence and peaceful co-existence is of increasing relevance in the present times.”
President Kovind will be visiting Mahatma Gandhi’s birthplace, Kirti Mandir, at Porbandar on Monday to pay his tributes. Soon after, he will declare open defecation free (ODF) status for rural Gujarat at an event organised by the State government.
On the eve of Gandhi Jayanti, in a statement President Kovind said India is fighting “a decisive battle for cleanliness and hygiene.”
“Cleanliness is not only the responsibility of sanitation personnel and Government Departments. Today, India is fighting a decisive battle for cleanliness and hygiene through the ‘Swachhta Hi Seva’ campaign. Gandhiji believed that ‘Cleanliness is next to Godliness’. He visualised cleanliness as having three dimensions — a clean mind, a clean body and clean surroundings,”said President Kovind.
Noting that Swachch Bharat (Clean India) mission is a multi-stakeholder mission, the President said achieving it will be a true tribute to the Father of the Nation.
On Sunday, President Kovind had attended an event by the Maharashtra government where urban Maharashtra that makes up for 49 per cent of the State’s population was declared ODF.
