Clean India campaign to start Oct 2: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday said a clean India campaign will be launched Oct 2 this year.

"A vision will be launched on Oct 2 this year to be accomplished by 2019 on the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi," Modi said while delivering his maiden Independence Day speech after assuming office in May.

He emphasized his government's resolve for "Swachchh Bharat" (Clean India) and urged Indians to make the country a clean and healthy place.

"Can our country not become clean? If crores of Indians decide to clean the country, no force in the world can dirty our place," he said.

In his address, Modi asked the people: "Do we want to live in filth?"

"People might think that cleaning the country is a small thing for the prime minister of a country. But for me, cleaning holds great importance," he said prompting loud cheering and applause from the gathering at the historic Red Fort.