Chandrababu Naidu launches 'Swachh Andhra Mission' on Gandhi Jayanti

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Taking the cue from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Swachh Bharat Mission, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Monday launched Swachh Andhra Mission on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti.

Ace shuttler PV Sindhu, who has been chosen as the brand ambassador of Swachh Andhra along with state minister for Information Technology and Rural Development Nara Lokesh and public representatives, were the dignitaries who joined Naidu on this occasion.

The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister lauded Sindhu and said that the ace shuttler can win a gold medal in forthcoming Olympics. He added that it's a proud moment for the state that Sindhu is the brand ambassador for Swachh Andhra.

The Chief Minister and other dignitaries lit the lamp and paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri on their birth anniversaries.

He remembered Mahatma Gandhi as not just an individual, but a force. He hailed his popularity around the world for to his ideology.

He termed second Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri as the great man, who fought poverty and used to cross the river to reach his school and stand against all social evils.

Batting for Open Defecation Free (ODF) Andhra Pradesh, Naidu said, "Prime Minister Modi launched Swachh Bharat three years ago. Cleanliness makes society healthy and better. We are taking those targets ahead."

Keeping in mind the need of toilets, the Chief Minister said, "Girls and women should live with self-respect. For that, every house needs to have a toilet. We are working on making the state 100% ODF by March 2018. For that, we take oath today. We have to construct 22 lakh more toilets by March 2018. In that project, we want to involve even children.

"Constructing and using toilets is the symbol for civilized society. There are many problems in villages like current, roads, gas and others. We want to equip all villages in the state with all facilities before 2019 elections," he added.

He urged people to contribute in making Andhra Pradesh Swachh by taking a pledge to spare time for maintaining cleanliness.

Nara Lokesh, who was also present on the occasion, said that in last three years, toilets have increased from 30 percent to 60 percent.

He added that the government is working hard to achieve the seven-star scheme that includes current, gas, drinking water toilet, CC roads, schools, playground, Anganwadi centre and internet facility, pond and planting, at least Rs. 10,000 income for every family in the village.