Cleanliness drive in Chandigarh: Union Minister Khattar and Governor Kataria lead by example

On the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya, Chandigarh was transformed into a giant cleanliness canvas as Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar and Punjab Governor-cum-UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria led simultaneous “Swachhata Hi Seva 2025” campaigns. Khattar launched the “Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath” Shramdaan drive at the bustling Sector 22 market, while Kataria swept floors at Apni Mandi, Sector 15.

The leaders administered “Swachhata Shapath” to hundreds of participants, emphasising that cleanliness is not just a duty, but a way of life, adornment, culture, and dharma. The day’s events were marked by symbolism and action, with a fruit basket presented to the daughter of a safai karamchari, eco-friendly cloth bags distributed to discourage single-use plastics, and market lanes cleaned by officials, students, shopkeepers, civil defence volunteers, safai mitras, and NGOs working together.

Khattar emphasised that cleanliness is not just a government scheme, but a people’s movement, recalling how Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s simple act of picking up a broom transformed the nation’s mindset. Kataria echoed the sentiment, adding that cleanliness is life and that every citizen must take responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean. He lauded Chandigarh’s progress in Swachh rankings and pollution control, crediting citizen participation.

The event was attended by Chief Secretary Rajiv Verma, Deputy Commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav, Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla, senior IAS and HCS officers, councillors, and hundreds of citizens. The collective message was clear: Chandigarh is determined to maintain its position as one of India’s cleanest and greenest cities.

CLEANLINESS BY THE NUMBERS

• Chandigarh jumped from 11th to 2nd place in national Swachh rankings
• Pollution control ranking improved from 27th to 8th in one year
• Over 12 crore toilets built across India under Swachh Bharat Mission
• PM Modi’s call turned broom into a symbol of people’s movement