PM Modi to declare India open defecation free on October 2

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will declare the country open defecation-free on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on October 2. PM Modi will make the declaration in the presence of over 20,000 village heads at a function at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Gujarat, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel said on Wednesday.

These village heads (sarpanchs) would include around 10,000 from Gujarat and another 10,000 from across the country, he said. Dignitaries from across the world are also expected to attend the mega event to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, said Mr. Patel.

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“October 2 will be celebrated as Swachh Bharat Diwas across the country. Our Prime Minister would visit Gujarat on that day and declare the entire country open defecation-free in the presence over 20,000 sarpanches, including around 10,000 other states,” Mr. Patel told reporters in Gandhinagar.

“To spread the message of cleanliness to the masses, dignitaries from across the world have been invited to attend the event to be held at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad on October 2,” the BJP leader said.

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People associated with Gandhian institutions, high court judges, Padma awardees, students, educationists and village-level sanitation workers have also been invited for the function, said Mr. Patel.

He said the 10,000 sarpanches coming from other States would be taken to different places associated with the Father of the Nation such as Dandi Memorial and Mahatma Mandir. The village heads will also visit the Statue of Unity built in dedication to Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in Narmada district, the deputy chief minister said.

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PM Modi hails Gandhi's vision

At the United Nations on Wednesday, PM Modi paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at an event commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Father of the nation. In his speech, PM Modi asserted that India can solve the problems that it is facing in current times simply by following the visions and path led by Gandhi.

"Mahatma Gandhi emphasized the real power of democracy. He showed the direction in which people should not depend on governance and become self-reliant. Mahatma Gandhi pioneered a social system that did not depend on the government. Mahatma Gandhi brought change, it is well known, but it is also fair to say that he awakened the inner power of the people and awakened them to bring change," he added.

READ | PM Modi hails Mahatma Gandhi's vision in his speech at the UN