<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/gandhi-is-today-will-be-there-tomorrow-gandhi-is-the-solution-to-all-problems-pm-modi-in-ahmedabad-253321">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> on Wednesday arrived at the Sabarmati riverfront in Gujarat on the occasion of 150th birth anniversary of 'father of nation' Mahatma Gandhi.</p>

<p>"Bapu's birth anniversary is being celebrated by the entire world," the prime minister stated adding that, "a few days ago United Nations (UN) released a postal stamp to make this occasion memorable, now commemorative stamps and coins have also been released here today".</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">PM Modi: Sanitation, conservation of environment and animals, all these things were dear to Gandhi ji. Plastic is a major threat to all of them. So, we have to achieve the goal to eradicate 'single use plastic' from the country by the year 2022. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SwachhBharat?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SwachhBharat</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GandhiAt150?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GandhiAt150</a> <a href="https://t.co/4Bru8NeMgr">pic.twitter.com/4Bru8NeMgr</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1179413537761964032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>The prime minister was speaking during the 'Swachh Bharat Diwas' programme in Ahmedabad and announced country's rural areas 'open defecation free'.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Today the whole world is appreciating and awarding us. Providing toilets to more than 60 crore people in 60 months, building more than 11 crore toilets, the whole world is amazed by this," he said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The prime minister said that among various things, "sanitation, conservation of environment and animals" were dear to Gandhiji. He stressed on the need to shun single-use plastic. "Plastic is a major threat to all of them. So, we have to achieve the goal to eradicate 'single-use plastic' from the country by the year 2022," the prime minister said.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 'Swachh Bharat Diwas' programme in Ahmedabad: Today rural India and its villages have declared themselves 'open defecation free'. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GandhiAt150?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GandhiAt150</a> <a href="https://t.co/IDxNIkBJVL">https://t.co/IDxNIkBJVL</a> <a href="https://t.co/OUNRy8X987">pic.twitter.com/OUNRy8X987</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1179411454648311812?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Prime Minister Modi released commemorative Rs 150 coins, on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary. The event at Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad was attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday arrived in Ahmedabad in Gujarat to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of 'father of nation' Mahatma Gandhi.</p>

<p>On the occasion, the prime minister said that "India's stature is rising across the globe".</p>

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<p>"I hope that India can lead the way and bring about a change in the world, India is capable of that," PM Modi said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier in the day, PM Modi paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat on the occasion of his 150th birth anniversary.</p>


Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday arrived at the Sabarmati riverfront in Gujarat on the occasion of 150th birth anniversary of 'father of nation' Mahatma Gandhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday arrived at the Sabarmati riverfront in Gujarat on the occasion of 150th birth anniversary of 'father of nation' Mahatma Gandhi. "Bapu's birth anniversary is being celebrated by the entire world," the prime minister stated adding that, "a few days ago United Nations (UN) released a postal stamp to make this occasion memorable, now commemorative stamps and coins have also been released here today". PM Modi: Sanitation, conservation of environment and animals, all these things were dear to Gandhi ji. Plastic is a major threat to all of them. So, we have to achieve the goal to eradicate 'single use plastic' from the country by the year 2022. #SwachhBharat #GandhiAt150 pic.twitter.com/4Bru8NeMgr — ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2019 × The prime minister was speaking during the 'Swachh Bharat Diwas' programme in Ahmedabad and announced country's rural areas 'open defecation free'. "Today the whole world is appreciating and awarding us. Providing toilets to more than 60 crore people in 60 months, building more than 11 crore toilets, the whole world is amazed by this," he said. The prime minister said that among various things, "sanitation, conservation of environment and animals" were dear to Gandhiji. He stressed on the need to shun single-use plastic. "Plastic is a major threat to all of them. So, we have to achieve the goal to eradicate 'single-use plastic' from the country by the year 2022," the prime minister said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 'Swachh Bharat Diwas' programme in Ahmedabad: Today rural India and its villages have declared themselves 'open defecation free'. #GandhiAt150 https://t.co/IDxNIkBJVL pic.twitter.com/OUNRy8X987 — ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2019 × Prime Minister Modi released commemorative Rs 150 coins, on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary. The event at Sabarmati riverfront in Ahmedabad was attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday arrived in Ahmedabad in Gujarat to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of 'father of nation' Mahatma Gandhi. On the occasion, the prime minister said that "India's stature is rising across the globe". × "I hope that India can lead the way and bring about a change in the world, India is capable of that," PM Modi said. Earlier in the day, PM Modi paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat on the occasion of his 150th birth anniversary.

Need to eradicate single-use plastic from the country by 2022: PM Modi in Ahmedabad 

<p>Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das Thursday announced the entire state as open defecation free (ODF).</p>

<p>The ODF target for the state was October 2, 2019, but Jharkhand has achieved it a year in advance, Das said at the Statehood Day function here.</p>

<p>Jharkhand was carved out from Bihar on November 15, 2000 by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government.</p>

<p>The chief minister also announced Lohardaga, Hazaribagh and Deoghar as total electrified districts, joining Ranchi, Dhanbad, Ramgarh and Bokaro.</p>

<p>The electrification target for the entire state was December, 2018, he said.</p>

<p>The chief minister said Jharkhand is second in the country in terms of development growth, fourth in ease of doing business and number one in achieving health reforms.</p>

<p>So far, more than 32 lakh people of Jharkhand have been given employment or self-employment, he said.</p>

<p>Besides this, 16 lakh women were connected with 'Sakhi Mandal' for self-employment.</p>

<p>He said the state government was getting full support from the Centre in developmental initiatives.</p>

<p>'Krishi Pakhwada' (agriculture fortnight) has been announced and a camp will be organised on November 18 and 19 to facilitate reimbursement of funds under 'Fasal Bima'.</p>

<p>Das also vowed to accelerate the process of development and make the state an example in the country.</p>

<p>The chief minister called upon everyone to work towards a state which is free of corruption, dynastic politics, and caste, communal issues, so that citizens get the opportunity to live with dignity.</p>

<p>Cheques were given to farmers under MUDRA Swachch Card, Fasal Bima Yozana and Ved Vyas Awas Yojana at the function.&nbsp;</p>


Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das Thursday announced the entire state as open defecation free (ODF). The ODF target for the state was October 2, 2019, but Jharkhand has achieved it a year in advance, Das said at the Statehood Day function here.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das Thursday announced the entire state as open defecation free (ODF). The ODF target for the state was October 2, 2019, but Jharkhand has achieved it a year in advance, Das said at the Statehood Day function here. Jharkhand was carved out from Bihar on November 15, 2000 by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. The chief minister also announced Lohardaga, Hazaribagh and Deoghar as total electrified districts, joining Ranchi, Dhanbad, Ramgarh and Bokaro. The electrification target for the entire state was December, 2018, he said. The chief minister said Jharkhand is second in the country in terms of development growth, fourth in ease of doing business and number one in achieving health reforms. So far, more than 32 lakh people of Jharkhand have been given employment or self-employment, he said. Besides this, 16 lakh women were connected with 'Sakhi Mandal' for self-employment. He said the state government was getting full support from the Centre in developmental initiatives. 'Krishi Pakhwada' (agriculture fortnight) has been announced and a camp will be organised on November 18 and 19 to facilitate reimbursement of funds under 'Fasal Bima'. Das also vowed to accelerate the process of development and make the state an example in the country. The chief minister called upon everyone to work towards a state which is free of corruption, dynastic politics, and caste, communal issues, so that citizens get the opportunity to live with dignity. Cheques were given to farmers under MUDRA Swachch Card, Fasal Bima Yozana and Ved Vyas Awas Yojana at the function.

Jharkhand CM Raghubar Das declares entire state open defecation free

<p>Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi has withdrawn the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-free-rice-from-govt-if-villages-are-littered-not-free-from-open-defecation-puducherry-lt-guv-kiran-bedi-133430">order that restricted rice subsidy to villages which were not free from open defecation and garbage</a>.</p>

<p>The governor withdrew her order saying that her intention was not to deny subsidy to the poor.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In her clarification, Bedi said that her intention of linking rural open defecation and cleanliness with free rice distribution is not to deny any poor persons of their entitlement.</p>

<p>She added that she had already sanctioned and directed to provide quality food grains to needy families.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She took to Twitter&nbsp;to clarify "&nbsp;In view of misreading of my intent to improve d living conditions of rural poor & in view of assured commitment that rural areas will be Open defecation free by June 2018,&nbsp;I have clarified my earlier communications to put at rest any misgivings.Tom shall b my 156, weekend round"</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">In view of misreading of my intent to improve d living conditions of rural poor & in view of assured commitment that rural areas will be Open defecation free by June 2018,<br />
I have clarified my earlier communications to put at rest any misgivings.Tom shall b my 156, weekend round.</p>
— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) <a href="https://twitter.com/thekiranbedi/status/990265773900869632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Bedi had earlier announced that the distribution of free rice to villagers in the Union Territory&nbsp;will be stopped if villages are not free from open defecation and garbage.</p>

<p>Bedi said that the villages have to prove they are indeed open defecation free and free of garbage to avail the benefit of free rice from the government. Bedi took to Twitter to announce that the local administration will now have to provide her with a certificate proving that villages are free from open defecation and garbage before the free supply of rice is provided.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Linked Free Rice distribution to respective constituency MLAs & Commune Commisioners Certifying villages open defecation free and of strewn garbage and plastic.<br />
Free Rice reaches out to more than half d population primarily in rural areas<br />
This is d learning of morning round today <a href="https://t.co/CCIaVAGdDT">pic.twitter.com/CCIaVAGdDT</a></p>
— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) <a href="https://twitter.com/thekiranbedi/status/990108640441982976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi has withdrawn the order that restricted rice subsidy to villages which were not free from open defecation and garbage

Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi has withdrawn the order that restricted rice subsidy to villages which were not free from open defecation and garbage. The governor withdrew her order saying that her intention was not to deny subsidy to the poor. In her clarification, Bedi said that her intention of linking rural open defecation and cleanliness with free rice distribution is not to deny any poor persons of their entitlement. She added that she had already sanctioned and directed to provide quality food grains to needy families. She took to Twitter to clarify " In view of misreading of my intent to improve d living conditions of rural poor & in view of assured commitment that rural areas will be Open defecation free by June 2018, I have clarified my earlier communications to put at rest any misgivings.Tom shall b my 156, weekend round" In view of misreading of my intent to improve d living conditions of rural poor & in view of assured commitment that rural areas will be Open defecation free by June 2018, I have clarified my earlier communications to put at rest any misgivings.Tom shall b my 156, weekend round. — Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) April 28, 2018 × Bedi had earlier announced that the distribution of free rice to villagers in the Union Territory will be stopped if villages are not free from open defecation and garbage. Bedi said that the villages have to prove they are indeed open defecation free and free of garbage to avail the benefit of free rice from the government. Bedi took to Twitter to announce that the local administration will now have to provide her with a certificate proving that villages are free from open defecation and garbage before the free supply of rice is provided. Linked Free Rice distribution to respective constituency MLAs & Commune Commisioners Certifying villages open defecation free and of strewn garbage and plastic. Free Rice reaches out to more than half d population primarily in rural areas This is d learning of morning round today pic.twitter.com/CCIaVAGdDT — Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) April 28, 2018 ×

Kiran Bedi withdraws order restricting rice subsidy to 'clean' villages

<p>Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar today said two lakh villages across the country have become open defecation free so far.</p>

<p>&quot;In 2014, there were 44 per cent toilets available in the country. Today, this number has gone up to 64 per cent. While we aim to make the country open defecation free by 2019, two lakh villages have become open defecation free so far,&quot; the rural development minister said.</p>

<p>He was speaking at Y B Chavan centre here on the occasion of launch of a nationwide campaign &#39;Darwaza Band&#39; which is aimed at promoting use of toilets and discouraging open air defecation.</p>

<p>&quot;Today we praise foreign nations for their cleanliness. After 2019, foreigners who come here should praise our cleanliness. That should be the kind of work we should do,&quot; the minister said.</p>

<p>Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who was also present at the event, said all districts in Maharashtra are working speedily towards achieving an open defecation free status.</p>

<p>&quot;In the last one year, 19 lakh toilets were constructed (in the state). I assure you that among big states, Maharashtra will be the first to become open defecation free,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Cleanliness has increased by 35 per cent in Maharashtra where 16,000 villages have become open defecation free, which amounts to 18 per cent of total villages across the nation, the chief minister said.</p>

<p>&quot;200 out of 250 cities have achieved an open defecation free status. While all cities in the state will become open defecation free by 2017 end, entire Maharashtra will be free of open defecation 2018,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who is leading the &#39;Darwaza Band&#39; campaign, said he was fortunate to be a part of it.</p>

<p>&quot;If my face and voice can be used to inculcate a sense of cleanliness among the masses, I will be most happy. People who defecate in the open should use toilets,&quot; he said.</p>

<p>(PTI)</p>


Indian government is building toilets at a rapid pace to encourage people to stop defecating in the open

Union minister Narendra Singh Tomar today said two lakh villages across the country have become open defecation free so far. "In 2014, there were 44 per cent toilets available in the country. Today, this number has gone up to 64 per cent. While we aim to make the country open defecation free by 2019, two lakh villages have become open defecation free so far," the rural development minister said. He was speaking at Y B Chavan centre here on the occasion of launch of a nationwide campaign 'Darwaza Band' which is aimed at promoting use of toilets and discouraging open air defecation. "Today we praise foreign nations for their cleanliness. After 2019, foreigners who come here should praise our cleanliness. That should be the kind of work we should do," the minister said. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who was also present at the event, said all districts in Maharashtra are working speedily towards achieving an open defecation free status. "In the last one year, 19 lakh toilets were constructed (in the state). I assure you that among big states, Maharashtra will be the first to become open defecation free," he said. Cleanliness has increased by 35 per cent in Maharashtra where 16,000 villages have become open defecation free, which amounts to 18 per cent of total villages across the nation, the chief minister said. "200 out of 250 cities have achieved an open defecation free status. While all cities in the state will become open defecation free by 2017 end, entire Maharashtra will be free of open defecation 2018," he said. Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who is leading the 'Darwaza Band' campaign, said he was fortunate to be a part of it. "If my face and voice can be used to inculcate a sense of cleanliness among the masses, I will be most happy. People who defecate in the open should use toilets," he said. (PTI)

200,000 Indian villages are now open defecation free, claims govt