AMN
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said a massive campaign of waste management will be launched by the Centre and state governments on the occasion of World Environment Day. Addressing the nation through Mann Ki Baat programme on All India Radio, Mr Modi said litter bins will be made available to collect solid and liquid waste in 4000 towns of the country on 5th of June. Mr Modi said two types of waste bins will be available – one green and the other blue. Dry garbage will be collected in blue waste bins and liquid garbage in green waste bins. Mr Modi said waste from kitchens is all part of liquid waste and is to be placed in green litter bins. He said this waste can be utilized in fields. He said newer techniques of waste management will be found once waste is seen as resource and wealth.
Mr Modi said this year, the United Nations has chosen the theme : ‘Connecting People to Nature’ for World Environment Day. He said connecting with nature means nurturing a better planet. Mr Modi quoted Mahatma Gandhi saying “One must care about a world one will not see”. He said the global campaign of connecting with nature should become individual campaign as well. He said millions of tree saplings are planted on the onset of monsoon in all the states every year. The Prime Minister called upon everyone to contribute in enhancing this campaign.
The Prime Minister expressed firm belief that developing a culture of cleanliness and taking steps to achieve it will make India what Mahatma Gandhi had dreamt of. He said a huge public campaign can be launched if a single individual works relentlessly towards it. He gave the example of Versova beach in Mumbai, which was infamous for its filth. Mr Modi said Versova has now transformed into a clean and beautiful beach after people toiled for about 80-90 weeks, to extract thousand of tonnes of waste materials. He said the person who started this mission and turned it into a campaign, Afroz Shah, has been awarded ‘Champion of the Earth’ Award by the United Nations Environment Programme.
Mr Modi also expressed happiness that Reasi block in Jammu and Kashmir has become completely free of open defecation. He said the state has presented an excellent example and congratulated the people and public servants of the block. He also felicitated the women of the area who took a leadership role in the campaign and took out torch rallies to spread awareness, going from house to house.
The Prime Minister said World Yoga Day has been India’s contribution to the world at a time separatist forces are raising their ugly heads. He stressed that Yoga plays a very vital role in helping people to lead a stress-free life. Mr Modi said he received a suggestion to make an appeal that three generations of the family should do yoga together on this third International Yoga Day. He said grand parents, parents and children should perform Yoga together and send their pictures to Narendra Modi App or on Mygov. Mr Modi also said he will keep posting about Yoga from first of June on Twitter and continue to do so till 21st June.
On the occasion of birth anniversary of freedom fighter Veer Savarkar today, Mr Modi said he feels delighted that the younger generation is taking interest in knowing about India’s history, its freedom fighters and those who made sacrifices for the country. He said countless great men spent their youth in jails and suffered miseries so that people can now breathe in a free India.
The Prime Minister expressed firm belief that governments must be accountable in democracy and the public at large must be provided with a report card of works done. He pointed out that an audit and assessment of the performance of his government in the last three years is happening in media for the last 15 days. He said the entire process is a very healthy sign. He stated that constructive criticism strengthens democracy and this churning is important for any awakened nation.
Mr Modi expressed gratitude that President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari and Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan took out time and attended the launch of analytical book on Mann Ki Baat. He said it has given a new dimension to ‘Mann Ki Baat’.
The Prime Minister also greeted the nation on the commencement of the month of Ramzan. He said prayer, spirituality and charity are accorded the highest priority during Ramzan. Mr Modi pointed out that Indians are very lucky that country’s ancestors have created a tradition of unity and its 1.25 billion people can take pride in it.