DoT to observe Swachh Bharat Mission fortnight

The Department of Telecommunication (DoT) will observe Swachh Bharat Mission -- launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi two years ago -- in the first fortnight of November.

Communications Minister Manoj Sinha told media persons on Friday that the DoT was assigned the first fortnight -- Swachhta Pakhwara -- that will be held from November 1-15 to spread awareness about cleanliness.

"The Prime Minister wants to achieve the target of clean India by 2019 in order to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi when the country will be celebrating his 150th birth anniversary. In addition to the DOT, officials from Public Sector Units, NGOs will also be roped in to hold various activities in the different parts of the country during the fortnight," Sinha said.

Modi had launched the mission on October 2, 2014 on the occasion of the 145th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Sinha said an action plan was chalked out for various activities.

"BSNL will undertake cleanliness drive at Bada Imambar in Lucknow while MTNL will hold certain activities at the Gateway of India in Mumbai.

"Similar events will be organised at Ashoka Road and Qutub Minar area in Delhi. Senior officials of the department will visit these place to supervise the cleanliness activities," Sinha said.

Also, private telecom service providers have been asked to join the programme. Sinha said each of them were going to conduct special drives on different days during the fortnight.

A release issued by the department said that Bharati Airtel has organised a mini marathon on November 20.

The event also include special cleanliness drives in the office building premises, departmental canteens, review and weeding out of old records, disposal of unnecessary office material include e-waste.

--IANS

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