Gandhi Jayanti Highlights: Rural India, Villages Declared Themselves Open Defecation Free, Says PM Modi

Gandhi Jayanti LIVE UPDATES: On Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary, India was declared open defecation free by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Modi, who soon after coming to power for the first time in 2014 announced the Swachh Bharat Mission, cited how Mahatma Gandhi had laid immense stress on cleanliness and wanted the countrymen to pursue it."Today, rural India and its villages have declared themselves ODF. This the power and source of success of the ongoing 'Swachhta Abhiyan' (cleanliness drive) being run based on self-motivation and with public participation," PM Modi said in his address at the Sabarmati river front. Making the announcement, Modi said that this motivational place of Sabarmati has become the witness of this success.Watch live coverage on ABP News at Live TVStay tuned for LIVE UPDATES

पार्श्वभूमी

New Delhi: With a number of events lined up across the nation, India today celebrated the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has extended its Gandhi Sankalp Yatra by a period of three months, according to a circular issued to the party leaders. As per the circular sent to the leaders, the Yatra will now be a 120-day exercise and will end on January 31, 2020, instead of October. Earlier, it was scheduled to be held between October 2 and 31.Under this, the BJP is planning to propagate Gandhi's ideals and principles of non-violence, Swaraj and simplicity to mark his 150th birth anniversary. Posters, banners and kits for the programs to be held during the yatra will be directly sent to the state units from the party headquarters.According to the circular, Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked-off this programme from Gujarat, simultaneously, with the other top leaders from the party who will started it from the BJP headquarters in New Delhi. All the party's Lok Sabha MPs have been instructed to be in their respective constituencies on October 2 for the program.Prime Minister Modi also payed tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. Later in the day, he also visited Sabarmati Ashram and participated in Swachh Bharat Diwas 2019 program, according to a post on the official Twitter handle of BJP.Earlier, while talking to ANI, Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said that India has almost achieved the open defecation free (ODF) target and hoped that Prime Minister will declare India open defecation free today.Watch | Gandhi Jayanti celebrations across the countryOn Tuesday, President Ram Nath Kovind said that the people of India have paid homage to father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, by taking up the Swachh Bharat Mission as a movement. "By taking up the 'Swachh Bharat Mission' as a movement, the people of India have paid homage to the father of the nation. Our nation's emphasis on inclusive growth, transparency and honesty in public life, health-care support to the poor and farmers and effective utilization of water resources is in keeping with his thoughts," Kovind said.BJP president Amit Shah will launch the ruling party's 'Gandhi Sankalp Yatra' in New Delhi. On the other hand, Congress will mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi today by taking out "padyatras" across the country with senior leaders including Rahul Gandhi taking part in the march in New Delhi.The march in the national capital will start from Delhi Pradesh Congress office and culminate at Rajghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi. Later, Congress President Sonia Gandhi will administer an oath to leaders and workers "to redeem Gandhi, Gandhism and Gandhi's India". Besides this, there are several events lined up to take place across the country.To mark the special occasion, AIM, NITI Aayog's Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) and UNICEF India, including Generation Unlimited, have launched 'The Gandhian Challenge'. This innovation challenge provides a platform for every child across India to ideate innovative solutions for a sustainable India of their dreams, using Gandhi's principles.The winners of 'The Gandhian Challenge' will be awarded in New Delhi by NITI Aayog's Atal Innovation Mission and UNICEF on the occasion of Children's Day in November. Several photo exhibitions have been organised in different cities to mark Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary. Vistara is celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi in a unique way with customers aboard select flights on October 2.They will be invited to be part of the airline's initiative 'BE THE CHANGE @ 30,000 FEET' and write about a social change that they feel passionately about on a simple postcard, as per a company release.

02/10/2019 21:31:34

Today, rural India and its villages have declared themselves ODF. This the power and source of success of the ongoing 'Swachhta Abhiyan' (cleanliness drive) being run based on self-motivation and with public participation: PM Modi in his address at the Sabarmati river front

02/10/2019 20:56:51

This isn't the success of any govt or any Prime Minister or any Chief Minister, this is the success of the hard work of 130 crore Indians: PM Modi

02/10/2019 15:00:53

I call upon the citizens of India to take one oath that helps the country, the poor. Let's see how strong the oath of 130 crore Indians can do. If we work endlessly for an year, this will become our lifestyle. This will be a true tribute to Father of our Nation, Gandhi Ji: PM Modi

02/10/2019 20:55:39

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: Prime Minister Narendra Modi

02/10/2019 15:00:53

Today whole world is appreciating and awarding us. Providing toilets to more than 60 crore people in 60 months, building more than 11 crore toilets, whole world is amazed by this: PM Modi

02/10/2019 20:53:57

Whole world is celebrating Bapu's birth anniversary. A few days ago United Nations (UN) released a postal stamp to make this occasion memorable, now commemorative stamps & coins have also been released here: PM Modi at 'Swachh Bharat Diwas' programme in Ahmedabad

02/10/2019 20:53:17

Prime Minister Narendra Modi releases commemorative Rs 150 coins, on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary.

02/10/2019 20:53:04

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives for the 'Swachh Bharat Diwas' programme at Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad. Chief Minister Vijay Rupani also present.

02/10/2019 15:00:53

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also interacted with children and volunteers at the Sabarmati Ashram where he was accompanied by various BJP leaders including Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani.

02/10/2019 18:58:20

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and payed tribute to the Father of the Nation.

02/10/2019 18:37:09

During his speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also said that the United Nations had this time celebrated Mahatma Gandhi and paid tribute to the father of the nation.

02/10/2019 15:00:53

We saw a glimpse of the respect India has at the world stage during the Howdy Modi program in Houston. At that program, Republicans and Democrats spoke. Their coming was very special: PM Modi

02/10/2019 15:00:53

India’s stature is rising at world stage. Respect for India is increasing all over. One can experience the change. The world can see that India is at the forefront of several positive changes taking place at the world stage: PM Modi in Ahmedabad

02/10/2019 16:33:23

UP Releases 150 Prisoners On Gandhi Jayanti


Nearly 150 prisoners will walk free on Gandhi Jayanti from various jails in Uttar Pradesh.


The prisoners who are being released on the occasion are those who have completed their term but have not been able to pay the fine amount. Some of the prisoners who are critically ill are also being released.


Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Avanish Awasthi said that the list of prisoners has already been finalized. Those booked for heinous crimes are not included in the list.


Sources said that around 600 prisoners from various states and union territories are being released on Wednesday to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.


The home ministry, under the scheme for special remission to prisoners to commemorate 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, has so far released 1,424 prisoners in states and union territories in two phases - on October 2, 2018 and April 6, 2019.


(IANS)

02/10/2019 15:36:47

No fire crackers during Gandhi Jayanti functions: Goa CM


The practice of bursting fire crackers during Gandhi Jayanti celebrations will be discontinued by the state government, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Wednesday.

02/10/2019 15:32:57

Rajasthan bans pan masala on Gandhi Jayanti




The Rajasthan government on Wednesday announced a ban on the use of pan masala containing magnesium carbonate, nicotine and tobacco, and even the flavoured supaari in the state on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.


State medical and health minister Raghu Sharma, making the announcement said that the initiative has been taken in accordance to the Food Security Act 2006.


All food security offices of the state have been directed to check the sale, distribution and production of such products, he said adding that after Maharashtra and Bihar, this is the third state where such products have been banned.


The initiative has been taken to prevent youths from getting addicted to such tobacco products.


In May, the Rajasthan government had banned e-cigarettes in the state.


(IANS)

02/10/2019 15:30:35

BJP starts drive on Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary, Congress slams it




BJP president Amit Shah kicked-off a four-month-long exercise on Wednesday in an ambitious bid by the saffron party to claim the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi with its leaders across the country undertaking foot marches and addressing public events to mark his 150th birth anniversary.





The Congress, which has seen over the years a gradual appropriation of some of its stalwarts by the BJP, launched a counter-drive with its president Sonia Gandhi taking a swipe at the Modi government, saying the Mahatma would have been pained by what has happened in India over the last few years.


(PTI)

02/10/2019 15:00:53

As PM Modi is all set to announce, India open defecation free on Wednesday, a dream of Mahatma Gandhi, it already has eyes set on its second leg through smart management of waste and recycling.

But October 2, 2019 will forever be etched in the country's history as a red-letter day.

02/10/2019 14:03:35

600 prisoners across India to be released on Gandhi Jayanti





Nearly 600 prisoners, convicted of offences other than murder, rape and corruption, will be released from 150 jails across the country on Wednesday, the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. All these prisoners will be released under a special remission scheme.

02/10/2019 13:19:28

India all set to declare itself open defecation free




On Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary, India is all set to be declared open defecation free by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.




Modi, who soon after coming to power for the first time in 2014 announced the Swachh Bharat Mission, cited how Mahatma Gandhi had laid immense stress on cleanliness and wanted the countrymen to pursue it.

02/10/2019 13:08:32

Why India and the World need Gandhi by PM Narendra Modi

Why India and the World need Gandhi by PM Narendra Modi

02/10/2019 13:00:37

Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi addressed the Congress workers today on the occassion of Gandhi Jayanti. She tageted BJP while addressing the crowd saying that Centre's work has upset Bapu. 'Power hungry people will never understand Bapu,' said Sonia Gandhi.

02/10/2019 15:00:53

The God of Cricket, Sachin Tendulkar also paid a tribute to the Mahatma.

The God of Cricket, Sachin Tendulkar also paid a tribute to the Mahatma.

02/10/2019 15:00:53

Gandhi scion walked with enthusiastic volunteers and party workers who were seen chanting slogans and waving flags.




Some of the teenagers were also sported in Gandhi's trademark dhoti and spectacles and walked with sticks during the event.




It should be noted that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also is also likely to lead a foot march in Lucknow to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary.

Gandhi scion walked with enthusiastic volunteers and party workers who were seen chanting slogans and waving flags.




Some of the teenagers were also sported in Gandhi's trademark dhoti and spectacles and walked with sticks during the event.




It should be noted that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also is also likely to lead a foot march in Lucknow to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary.

02/10/2019 15:00:53

Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary: Rahul joins Congress 'Padyatra' in Delhi




On the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday joined party's 'Gandhi Sandesh Yatra' in Delhi.




The yatra began from the Delhi state Congress office Rajiv Bhavan situated in Deendayal Upadhyay Marg and headed to Rajghat. The distance between the two places is approximately three kilometres.

02/10/2019 12:19:39

Paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary on Wednesday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the historic Gandhi Bhavan, that has been renovated by the state government, will be inaugurated on the occasion.

Paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary on Wednesday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the historic Gandhi Bhavan, that has been renovated by the state government, will be inaugurated on the occasion.

Paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary on Wednesday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the historic Gandhi Bhavan, that has been renovated by the state government, will be inaugurated on the occasion.

02/10/2019 11:57:04

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, at the Parliament, earlier today. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Senior BJP leader LK Advani and AIADMK leader M. Thambidurai also present.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, at the Parliament, earlier today. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Senior BJP leader LK Advani and AIADMK leader M. Thambidurai also present.

02/10/2019 11:55:52

Mumbai: On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, people of Mumbai took up a clean-up drive at Versova beach.

Mumbai: On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, people of Mumbai took up a clean-up drive at Versova beach.

02/10/2019 11:55:12

Rahul Gandhi arrives at Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee office for the party's Gandhi Sandesh Yatra on Gandhi Jayanti.

Rahul Gandhi arrives at Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee office for the party's Gandhi Sandesh Yatra on Gandhi Jayanti.

02/10/2019 11:52:57

Delhi: Home Minister Amit Shah takes part in 'Gandhi Sankalp Yatra,' in Shalimar Bagh.

Delhi: Home Minister Amit Shah takes part in 'Gandhi Sankalp Yatra,' in Shalimar Bagh.

02/10/2019 11:52:41

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis takes part in 'Swacchhta Abhiyaan (cleanliness drive),' at Sion-Koliwada in Mumbai.

02/10/2019 11:51:27

A Swachh Bharat milestone: Google Maps show 57K public toilets in India




In a fillip to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Swachh Bharat Mission, Google Maps now lists over 57,000 public toilets in over 2,300 cities across the country, the company announced on the eve of Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversay, fulfiling a key aspiration of the Father of the Nation.

02/10/2019 10:59:08

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reached the party's Delhi office for a 'padyatra' meant to commemorate the day.

02/10/2019 10:59:16

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reached the party's Delhi office for a 'padyatra' meant to commemorate the day.

02/10/2019 10:56:32

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted on Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted on Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary.

02/10/2019 10:41:37

Advanced version of Swachh Bharat Mission expected soon





On August 15, 2014, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Swachh Bharat Mission, the aim was to bring alive Mahatma Gandhi's dream of a clean India. On his 150th birth anniversary, the authorities intend to take another step closer to that dream by declaring the country open defecation free.





The advanced version of Swachh Bharat Mission is already in pipeline, which would focus on managing sewage faecal matter, solid waste management and other basic issues that create huge environmental implications.





Though the date for the announcement for the campaign has not been fixed yet, the government officials overseeing the policy-making of the campaign claimed that the Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 or Open Defecation Free (ODF)-plus scheme would announced 'very soon'.





The campaign has been in the pipeline and the authorities have been coordinating with UNICEF for the same for over 12 months.

02/10/2019 10:30:38

BJP President Amit Shah during 'Gandhi Sankalp Yatra' in Delhi: Gandhi ji's satyagraha movement brought the British to their knees. He showed the path of truth and non violence to the world.

02/10/2019 10:29:49

The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind paying floral tributes at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary at Rajghat.

02/10/2019 10:30:01

The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind paying floral tributes at the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary at Rajghat.

02/10/2019 10:28:35

Air India commemorates Gandhi Jayanti with a photo of Bapu painted on the tail of a Delhi-Mumbai flight at T3 International Airport, Delhi.

Air India commemorates Gandhi Jayanti with a photo of Bapu painted on the tail of a Delhi-Mumbai flight at T3 International Airport, Delhi.

02/10/2019 10:26:24

On Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary, BCCI also took to Twitter and said that Team India has also joined the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan again as the sanitation revolution completes 5 years.

On Mahatma Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary, BCCI also took to Twitter and said that Team India has also joined the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan again as the sanitation revolution completes 5 years.

02/10/2019 10:18:57

Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh administered a cleanliness oath to people at an event organised in Delhi Cantonment on Gandhi Jayanti, today.

Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh administered a cleanliness oath to people at an event organised in Delhi Cantonment on Gandhi Jayanti, today.

02/10/2019 10:13:11

Delhi: Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju flags off 'Fit India Plog run,'- a trash collecting activity while jogging, at Indira Gandhi stadium. Wrestler Bajrang Punia also present.

Delhi: Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju flags off 'Fit India Plog run,'- a trash collecting activity while jogging, at Indira Gandhi stadium. Wrestler Bajrang Punia also present.

02/10/2019 10:12:29

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia pay tribute to Former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri at Vijay Ghat.

02/10/2019 08:32:48

On Tuesday, President Ram Nath Kovind said that the people of India have paid homage to father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, by taking up the Swachh Bharat Mission as a movement.

02/10/2019 08:32:27

According to the circular, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will kick-off this programme from Gujarat, simultaneously, with the other top leaders from the party who will start it from the BJP headquarters in New Delhi. All the party's Lok Sabha MPs have been instructed to be in their respective constituencies on October 2 for the start of the program.

02/10/2019 08:27:36

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has extended its Gandhi Sankalp Yatra by a period of three months, according to a circular issued to the party leaders. As per the circular sent to the leaders, the Yatra will now be a 120-day exercise and will end on January 31, 2020, instead of October. Earlier, it was scheduled to be held between October 2 and 31.

02/10/2019 08:09:18

PM took to Twitter and paid his tribute to beloved bapu.

PM took to Twitter and paid his tribute to beloved bapu.

02/10/2019 08:08:22

PM Modi Pays Tribute to Bapu, Lal Bahadur Shastri; Recalls 'Jai Jawan...' Slogan

PM Modi Pays Tribute to Bapu, Lal Bahadur Shastri; Recalls 'Jai Jawan...' Slogan

02/10/2019 08:07:33

PM Modi’s schedule for today:





7.20 am: PM Modi to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat




7.50 am: PM Modi to visit Vijayghat to pay tribute to former PM Lal Bahadur Shastri, who shares his birthday with Mahatma Gandhi




8am - 10am: PM may join a cleanup campaign in Delhi




10.30 am: Floral tributes at the Parliament House




5.50 pm: Welcome reception at Ahmedabad airport




This will be followed by a visit to Sabarmati Ashram and then for the Swachh Bharat program.




8.30 pm: GMDC Ground- Participate in the Navratri festival

02/10/2019 08:06:15

Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute to Former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri at Vijay Ghat.

02/10/2019 08:12:46

Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute to Former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri at Vijay Ghat.

02/10/2019 08:05:20

Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi and BJP working president JP Nadda pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary at Rajghat in New Delhi.

02/10/2019 08:13:07

Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi and BJP working president JP Nadda pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary at Rajghat in New Delhi.

02/10/2019 07:56:00

Prime Minister Modi paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat today in the morning. Later in the day, he will visit Sabarmati Ashram and participate in Swachh Bharat Diwas 2019 program, according to a post on the official Twitter handle of BJP.