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The campaign will cover villages across districts, with activities ranging from waste collection to awareness rallies and will involve students from ITIs
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will guide the programme as its chief mentor. (PTI)
Maharashtra is gearing up for a massive cleanliness campaign to mark the 75th birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The initiative, led by the state’s skill development department, will see thousands of ITI students come together to clean 750 villages across the state. The campaign will be launched on Wednesday, September 17, at 11 am in Panvel taluka’s Gavhan gram panchayat. The inauguration will be done by skill development minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, while Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will guide the programme as its chief mentor.
The idea behind the drive is simple yet powerful: to celebrate the prime minister’s Amrit Mahotsav birthday by giving a renewed push to his flagship mission of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
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“Cleanliness is one of the key pillars of a developed India,” said Lodha, while speaking about the campaign. “PM Modi has called upon every citizen to participate in the Swachh Bharat mission. In Maharashtra, under the guidance of Fadnavis, we are taking that call forward through the participation of skilled youth from ITIs.”
Across 419 government-run industrial training institutes (ITIs), thousands of students will be mobilised for the campaign. For many of them, this will be more than just a one-day exercise—it will be their way of contributing to community health and national development.
Lodha emphasised that while infrastructure and resources are important, awareness and trained manpower are crucial for keeping India clean. “Cleanliness and health are closely connected. In a country with such a vast population, only public awareness and skilled participation can make Swachh Bharat a reality,” he added.
The minister also highlighted Maharashtra’s pioneering role in setting up the country’s first Sant Gadge Baba Swachh Bharat Academy. Through the academy, thousands of young people are being trained not just in cleanliness practices but also in related employment opportunities.
The campaign will cover villages across districts, with activities ranging from waste collection to awareness rallies. Students will work closely with gram panchayats to ensure that the effort leaves a visible and lasting impact. Officials say the programme is designed not just as a symbolic tribute to the prime minister, but as a practical effort to instil long-term habits of cleanliness in rural areas. The involvement of ITI students—young, energetic, and trained in technical skills—is expected to give the campaign an organised and disciplined edge.
As the state prepares for the September 17 launch, the initiative is being viewed as both a tribute to PM Modi’s vision and a step toward creating a healthier, more aware Maharashtra.
About the Author
Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @mayuganapa…Read More
Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @mayuganapa… Read More
September 16, 2025, 08:46 IST
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