Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, has called for transforming the Government’s ongoing cleanliness initiatives into a nationwide mass movement. He emphasizes public participation, innovation, and private sector engagement in enhancing these efforts. Singh made these remarks during a high-level review meeting concerning the Special Campaign 5.0 on cleanliness, held on Wednesday in New Delhi.
During the meeting, Dr. Singh stressed the importance of moving beyond symbolic actions. He illustrated the necessity to institutionalize cleanliness, space optimization, and record management as integral facets of daily governance. “We should integrate technology, community engagement, and corporate collaboration to ensure that the campaign sustains itself throughout the year,” he stated.
The Minister proposed leveraging corporate partnerships and collaborations with micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through NASSCOM. This approach aims to foster innovative waste management solutions specifically tailored for urban clusters, hotels, and government establishments. He noted that utilizing digital technologies and smart recycling models like automated waste segregation could enhance operational efficiency and unlock new livelihood opportunities.
Dr. Singh highlighted the importance of sharing best practices among ministries. He suggested documenting successful cleanliness models ranging from public spaces to educational institutions and disseminating them nationally through a central repository. Additionally, he encouraged the identification of innovative initiatives such as electronic file disposal, smart waste reuse, and repurposing cleared government land to establish new benchmarks in governance.
A key focus of the meeting was the active involvement of youth and women, which Dr. Singh believes would inject renewed energy and creativity into the campaign. He remarked, “When young people and women join the movement, it becomes more vibrant and impactful.” He urged that Swachhata messages be amplified through schools, colleges, and platforms like My Bharat volunteers to promote a culture of collective responsibility.
Reflecting on the past successes of cleanliness drives, Dr. Singh declared that the Special Campaign had transformed from a short-term cleanliness drive to become a transformative governance model. This model promotes efficiency, transparency, and citizen-centric administration. He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to sustaining this momentum under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, revealing that innovative practices arising from the campaign would be shared with States, PSUs, and autonomous bodies.
Alongside Dr. Singh, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, emphasized the essential roles of behavioral change and youth engagement in advancing the vision of “Swachh Bharat.” He proposed appointing student and youth ambassadors from colleges and universities to help spread awareness and motivate communities to uphold cleanliness and hygiene in their surroundings.
The meeting attracted notable attendees including V. Srinivas, Secretary of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), Sarita Chuhan, Joint Secretary of DARPG, alongside other senior officials from various government departments and representatives from partner organizations.