Alphons leads cleanliness drive in Sai Temple

Tourism Minister K J Alphons led a cleanliness drive Saturday in Sai Temple on Lodhi road as part of 'Swachhta Hi Seva' campaign here and taught the tenets of cleanliness to a youth whom he found flicking cigarette butt on streets.

The "cleanliness is service" campaign was launched Saturday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who asked people to rededicate themselves to fulfilling Mahatma Gandhi's dream of a clean India. The campaign will continue till Gandhi's birth anniversary on October 2.

As part of the campaign, Alphons, who during his last cleanliness drive had cleaned paan stained walls in Janpath market with his bare hands, this time used gloves to sweep the temple premises.

While on his cleaning spree, he stopped when he saw a youth smoking on the street. Upon seeing the minister he flicked his cigarette in the street, but Alphons caught him in the act, said a source who was part of the cleanliness drive.

Severely reprimanding him for both the acts, Alphons then spoke to him about the bad effects of smoking and urged him to give it up, the source said.

Students of various hospitality institutes under the ministry was also part of the cleanliness drive led by the minister. Addressing them, he stressed upon the importance of cleanliness in one's life.

The minister also said that the Swachhta campaign has brought revolutionary changes in the last four years and helped in reducing pollution level, which in turn increased the health and survivability of citizens especially children.

"Observe cleanliness as responsible citizens of the country in order to remain healthy and also to provide a memorable, clean and hygienic experience to the tourists while at the same time, to aim for providing a clean India to our coming generations," he said.

The minister took part in 'Shramdaan' activities done in the area along with students and officials of the ministry. A Nukkad Natak was also performed by the students on 'Swachhta hi Seva' theme.

The Ministry of Tourism has also prepared an action plan for carrying out the campaign at various important tourist sites across the country, he said.

Cleanliness and awareness activities are to be conducted through regional offices of the ministry with active participation from local communities, institutes of the ministry, state governments and stakeholders.

In addition, the ministry is also observing a 'Swachhta Pakhwada' between September 16 and 30 wherein additional activities will be conducted every day by the Ministry of Tourism as well as all the institutions under the ministry.