Modi calls for a 'Clean India' drive

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday reiterated his government's resolve for a "Clean India", and said the country should accomplish it by 2019, the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation.

"Mahatma Gandhi laid great emphasis on cleanliness. His ashrams too focused on the same. Let us pledge we will give a 'Clean India' as a gift to our father of the nation on his 150th birth anniversary in 2019," Modi said while replying to the Lok Sabha debate on the motion of thanks on the president's address.

Modi's agenda "Clean India" found mention in President Pranab Mukherjee's address to the joint session of parliament Monday.

Mukherjee had said: "For ensuring hygiene, waste management and sanitation across the nation a 'Swachh Bharat Mission (Clean India Mission)' will be launched. This will be our tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary to be celebrated in the year 2019."