Kishan Reddy Highlights Citizen Responsibility in Swachh Bharat Mission

Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy on Thursday participated in a cleanliness drive at Yashwant Place in New Delhi, joining officials from the Ministry of Mines, NDMC staff and sanitation workers in voluntary cleaning activities. He urged citizens to actively contribute to keeping their surroundings clean, stressing that cleanliness can be sustained only through collective participation.

Speaking during the programme, Kishan Reddy said cleanliness should not be viewed merely as an exercise to keep public spaces tidy. It is also an important part of building a responsible and civic-minded society, he said. Referring to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, the Union Minister said the initiative has sought to transform sanitation into a people-driven movement across the country.

Kishan Reddy called on citizens to move away from the mindset that maintaining cleanliness is someone else’s responsibility. Instead, he said, every individual should recognise sanitation as a shared civic responsibility and incorporate clean practices into everyday life.

He noted that seemingly small efforts made by individuals can collectively develop into a strong nationwide cleanliness movement. Developing cleanliness as a habit and taking personal responsibility for public spaces would help strengthen the objectives of the Swachh Bharat Mission, he said.

Following the cleanliness drive, the Union Minister interacted with sanitation workers and spent time discussing their experiences. He also shared tea with them and appreciated the services they provide in maintaining hygiene in public spaces. Kishan Reddy emphasised the contribution of sanitation workers and said greater public participation would be essential for achieving the broader goals of the Swachh Bharat Mission.

Later, Kishan Reddy participated in the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative by planting a sapling at the Yashwant Palace Market. He urged people to take up tree planting and, equally importantly, ensure that the saplings are properly cared for.

The minister said collective efforts towards cleanliness and environmental protection could contribute to creating a cleaner, greener and more sustainable environment. He encouraged citizens to make both sanitation and environmental responsibility an integral part of their daily lives.