New Delhi, January 25: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted community-led cleanliness initiatives in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, citing them as exemplary models of youth-driven public participation during the latest episode of Mann Ki Baat, aired on the eve of the 77th Republic Day.
 |
| A video thumbnail from Mann Ki Baat |
“In Mann Ki Baat, we have consistently raised the issue of cleanliness. I am proud to see that our youth are very conscious about the cleanliness around them. I have learnt about one such unique effort in Arunachal Pradesh,” the Prime Minister said.
Referring to Arunachal Pradesh as the land where “the first rays of the sun touch India,” Modi praised young volunteers across the state for taking up cleanliness as a collective mission. He noted that youth groups in Itanagar, Naharlagun, Doimukh, Seppa, Palin and Pasighat have together removed over 11 lakh kilograms of garbage through sustained voluntary efforts.
“Imagine the power of youth coming together-11 lakh kilograms of waste cleared by young people alone,” the Prime Minister said, underlining that such initiatives reflect a growing sense of civic responsibility among India’s younger generation and have transformed neglected public spaces across the state.
ALSO READ: Only Government Teachers to Serve as Invigilators for 2026 Board Exams in Assam: CM Sarma
The Prime Minister also drew attention to Nagaon district in Assam, where residents have launched a grassroots movement to restore cleanliness in old streets that hold deep emotional value for local communities. What began as a small local effort gradually expanded into a collective drive, with residents jointly clearing accumulated waste and reclaiming public spaces.
Placing these initiatives within the broader Swachh Bharat Abhiyan narrative, Modi said the examples from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh demonstrate how cleanliness campaigns are most effective when driven from the ground up rather than imposed from above.
He urged citizens across the country to contribute individually or collectively to make cities, towns, and villages cleaner and more liveable, stressing that public participation is key to sustaining cleanliness and civic pride nationwide.
