Mumbai: NDTV, in association with Dettol organized a 12-hour Cleanathon on Rashtriya Swachhta Diwas, to lend their support for the Swachh India initiative by the Government of India. Hosted by Mr. Amitabh Bachchan & Vikram Chandra, Consulting Editor at NDTV, the event was attended by prominent personalities including Alia Bhatt, Anupam Kher, John Abraham, DiaMirza, Jaya Bachchan, Raveena Tandon, Priya Dutt, Shankar Mahadevan and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra.
Many others joined to appeal millions of viewers and audience to join the cause and clean 10 yards of their surroundings to make India clean i.e“Mere DusGaz” Eminent political figures, and Chief Minister of states joined the Cleanathon and lent their voice to the campaign.
Earlier in 2014, NDTV partnered with Dettol, to launch India’s biggest sanitation campaign – ‘Banega Swachh India’to educate people on the importance of cleanliness, and also work with NGO partners to support infrastructure for construction and maintenance of toilets.
NDTV-Dettol Banega Swachh India campaign observes Rashtriya Swachhta Diwas on October 02, in honour of the father of our nation, Mahatma Gandhi. The campaign encourages citizens to join a nationwide cleaning movement for a healthier life.
With Amitabh Bachchan leading this campaign for the fourth consecutive year, the purpose is spreading awareness that cleanliness is a personal charge and everyone is equally responsible to keep Swachh Zameen, Hawa and Paani.
Commenting on the occasion, campaign ambassador, Mr. Amitabh Bachchan, said “I encourage people to embrace Swachhta by littering less and composting more, and keeping their 10 surrounding yards clean and Green. With regard to problems of lack of toilets, plastic pollution, unclean rivers and toxic air, lets pledge together to fight towards a Swachh India.”
Speaking at the event, Nitish Kapoor, Managing Director, RB India said, “Banega Swachh India has been creating awareness and driving behavior change for the last 3 years. The program has been able to create a positive impact with the school curriculum reaching 4.5million children and the community and partnerships making 200 villages ODF. This year we aim to educate everyone that not only land but also the water and air are our responsibility. Air and water pollution are immediate concerns and needs to be nipped in the bud.”
Speaking about the initiative, Vikram Chandra, Consulting Editor, NDTV said, “Plastic is the root cause of majority of the garbage lying around the country. A change in the mindset of people can bring a difference to the society. Awareness among people of utmost importance as only that can translate to action. The key to solving the problem is if every individual takes up a challenge to keep 10 yards of their surroundings clean, then the whole city will be cleaned up.”
The event also saw performances by KailashKher, Shaan, Shankar Madhavan and AnweshaDutta Gupta.
