Hope to fulfill PM Modi's vision by 2018: Chhatisgarh CM Raman Singh

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Sunday reiterated his stance of making Chhattisgarh Open-Defecation Free (ODF) and said that the state is going strong to achieve Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Swachh Bharat'.

Lauding the efforts of the Prime Minister and the people in the state, Singh, while attending a 'Swachhta Hi Sewa' programme here, said, "We were wondering if we would be able to achieve the Prime Minister's vision by October 2019. I'd like to thank him and the people for making it a public movement. We hope to achieve an ODF Chhattisgarh by October 2, 2018."

He also said that a number of people visited the bathrooms in the villages and they were impressed by the cleanliness of the bathrooms.

Singh also stated that Chhattisgarh will see 10 times the development they are seeing now, if the state concentrates on cleanliness and hygiene, likening the movement with a gift being presented to the women of the state.

Chief Minister Raman Singh also congratulated the Minister of Panchayati Raj and Rural Development, Ajay Chandrakar, for working towards the fulfillment of the Swachh Bharat dream.

He further said that he wished to invite Prime Minister Modi in 2018 to show him an ODF Chhattisgarh.

Meanwhile, on the 67th birthday of Prime Minister Modi, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah has urged everybody to organise and join cleanliness initiatives, and devote the day to the ' Swachh Bharat Mission', adding that the mission is very special to the former.

"I urge you all to organise or join any cleanliness initiative and share your photos on the Narendra Modi Mobile App," wrote Shah, in his blog.

The BJP president also wished "a long as well as healthy life in service of the nation" to Prime Minister Modi, and praised him for working for the nation on his birthday too.

With the BJP celebrating ' Sewa Diwas' on the occasion, Shah said that several organisations and NGOs, particularly the youth-driven groups are undertaking a wide range of social service initiatives.

"Service or 'Seva' indeed is the best way to celebrate Narendra Bhai's birthday," Shah added.

In praise of the prime minister, Shah claimed that 'India First' is a belief that he lives by.

He also claimed that Prime Minister Modi has worked extensively towards poverty alleviation, and under his supervision, the government has undertaken "historic poverty alleviation initiatives (that are) taking shape at a scale unheard of in the history of India."

He concluded by conveying his message of 'Swachhata Hi Seva' movement.

"Let us strengthen the ' Swachhata Hi Seva' movement with our active and continuous participation so that we can fulfil Mahatma Gandhi's dream of a clean India," he said.