Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday nominated nine people for taking forward the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Bhojpuri playback singer-actor Manoj Tiwari, Indian Cricket players Mohammad Kaif and Suresh Raina.
"I have started the cleanliness drive here and the social organisations have assured me that this entire 'ghat' will be cleaned as soon as possible," said Modi.
The list also included comedian Raju Srivastava, Kailash Kher, Manu Sharma, Padma Shri Devi Parsad Dwivedi and Swami Rambhadracharya.
"After several years this shall be a gift through the medium of cleanliness here," he added.
He also appealed the freshly nominated personalities to further nominate nine individuals each, for the clean-up drive.
Prime Minister Modi who is on two-day visit to his parliamentary constituency began the day by offering prayers at the 'Assi ghat' of river Ganga, assisted by five priests who supported him in performing the 'Ganga Pujan'.
He also swept the ghat to mark the beginning of 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' from his parliamentary constituency, Varanasi. Several laborers joined him as he cleaned the ghat.
Later in the day he is scheduled to visit the Mata Anandamayee Hospital to take first hand stock of the functioning.
Before flying back to the national capital, the Prime Minister will also pay a visit to the Banaras Hindu University (BHU).
