Centre asks Prasar Bharati to compose song on 'Swachh Bharat'

Centre has asked Prasar Bharati to compose a special melody on 'Swachh Bharat Mission' to be aired by national broadcaster, AIR, as part of government's effort to make the flagship programme a 'people's movement'.

In a letter to Prasar Bharati, the Urban Development Ministry has asked it to play the "special musical composition" on its channels.

"...I would like to request your kind intervention in preparing a special musical composition by the Vadya Vrind Orchestra, around Swachh Bharat Mission, which may be played on your channels for popularising SBM among citizens," Joint Secretary in the UD ministry and Mission Director (SBM) Praveen Prakash said in a letter to Prasar Bharati CEO Jawahar Sircar.

Vadya Vrind is the orchestra wing of All India Radio, which is a part of Prasar Bharati.

"I understand that the music for the same will be composed by Johar Ali Khan, who would also be on the violin, and who has earlier composed the music for Festival of India, (in) Indonesia in 2015," the letter, dated June 22, reads.

Prakash said the UD Ministry has been reaching out to various stakeholders requesting them to contribute to make the dream of Swachh Bharat Mission a reality.

The government aims to make the flagship programme a "people's movement by inspiring citizens to participate and contribute their efforts in making India a clean and healthy nation", he said.

With over 400 stations, AIR reaches nearly 92 per cent of the country's area and 99.20 per cent of the population.