PRESIDENT Droupadi Murmu on Thursday called for everyone to move forward in building a Swachh Bharat, a Swasth Bharat and a Viksit Bharat. “Only cleanliness can make the country healthy and developed. All the countrymen should cooperate in this work coordinately for a developed nation. Madhya Pradesh has achieved a leading position in the field of urban and rural sanitation. Many cities of Madhya Pradesh have been declared best cities for cleanliness. Indore has been declared the cleanest city in the country for 7th consecutive time. Bhopal has become the cleanest capital,” President Murmu said while addressing felicitation ceremony of ‘Safai Mitras’ in Ujjain on Thursday. She also honoured Safai Mitras and performed bhoomipujan ceremony of Ujjain-Indore six-lane road to be built for Rs 1,692 crore. President Murmu said that Avantika is the holy and pious city of Baba Mahakal. The Gupta period was golden age of Indian history and at that time Ujjain was an important city of India with an ancient tradition of culture and civilisation here. President Murmu said that 2000 years ago, Ujjain was an excellent centre of transportation system besides being the centre of international trade.

 

Great poet Kalidas has given a wonderful depiction of vastness and grandeur of Ujjaini in his Meghdoot. The importance that Alkapuri city has in Devlok, is the same importance that Ujjain city has on earth. I bow down to Baba Mahakal, Avantika city and holy Kshipra river. President Murmu further said that many efforts are being made for integrated development of Ujjain and the State. Vikram Udyogpuri Medical Devices Park is being built here. President Murmu said that sanitation workers are frontline cleanliness warriors. I feel proud to honour them today. We will protect the safety, dignity and welfare of sanitation workers. ‘Manholes’ are being abolished in the country and now ‘Machine Holes’ are being made. Many schemes are being run to benefit the sanitation workers. Madhya Pradesh has done remarkable work in this field. Governor Mangubhai Patel said that he is confident that Safai Mitra Sammelan organised at the spiritual centre Ujjain will spread the message of cleanliness in the country not only as a responsibility but as a sacred service. The initiative will spread the message of building a clean, healthy and spiritually strong country with the commitment of Safai Mitras.

 

Every person in the society must recognise, support and respect Safai Mitras who keep us healthy by keeping the cities clean with their hard work and dedication. Congratulating the Safai Mitras, he said that the work of cleaning is a sacred service, hence Safai Mitras are worthy of respect. The State Government is always ready to support them. Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav said that this day will be written in golden letters. The day has become historic and has brought new gifts. Avantika, situated on the banks of holy river Kshipra, which has existed in every age and period, has always symbolised progress of people through dimensions of its development in every era. It is said that whoever comes to banks of Kshipra with hope, God fulfills it. The message of cleanliness has been given through Safai Mitras in all areas of development. Cleanliness fortnight is being observed from the Prime Minister’s birthday September 17 to October 2. Sanitation workers stand like a strong wall between sickness and life. We are fortunate that Madhya Pradesh has stood second in cleanliness among all the states of the country.

 

Apart from this, Bhopal has also got the status of the cleanest capital of the country thus strengthening our bond with cleanliness. Indore has achieved this distinction among cleanest cities in India for seven consecutive times. Chief Minister Dr Yadav said that we have decided to honour sanitation workers for their contribution to the cleanliness campaign. According to the star ranking of each city, a reward of Rs 1,000 will be given to the sanitation workers per star ranking. Ujjain has got three stars, hence all the sanitation workers here will be given a reward of Rs 3,000 each. Chief Minister Dr Yadav said that to give importance to stone craft, all the statues of Mahakal Lok will be made of stone. This will encourage stone craft in the State. Along with Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh will also gain a place in stone craft.