Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and commended the efforts of the government on the 10th anniversary of the Swachh Bharat Mission.
He highlighted the significant strides made in achieving sustainable development goals through this transformative initiative, which mobilises communities to promote a cleaner and healthier nation.
Affectionately introducing himself as "Tulsi Bhai", the WHO Director-General remarked, "I am honoured to help you celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Swachh Bharat Mission, it shows how strong political commitment can drive transformative change toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)."
He further added that the Indian government made sanitation and hygiene national priorities by mobilising resources, engaging communities and igniting a movement to eliminate open defecation and promote a cleaner, healthier nation.
Commending the Swachh Bharat Mission for its focus on equity, local engagement, accountability and sustainability Tedros Adhanom stated, "It prioritised basic sanitation in rural and underserved areas, mobilised local leaders and used data to track progress."
"Initiatives like these deliver huge benefits for public health, improve sanitation, and save lives by significantly reducing the burden of diseases such as diarrhoea and malnutrition," he added.
He also acknowledged the contribution of the Swachh Bharat initiative to long-term well-being and socio-economic development in communities across India.
The WHO chief also commented on the Ayushman Bharat national health protection scheme, saying, "Alongside the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme, this initiative demonstrates your excellencies' commitment to improving the health and well-being of India's huge population."
The WHO chief concluded expressing his thanks to India. "Thank you for your leadership and may your achievement be an inspiration for the world," he remarked.
Initiated in 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Swachh Bharat Mission targeted to make India Open Defecation Free (ODF).
Marking the occasion of the 155th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier in the day paid tribute to India’s founding father. Taking this to his social media X, PM Modi remarked, “Today, on Gandhi Jayanti, I took part in Swachhata-related activities with my young friends. I urge you all to also take part in some or the other such activity during the day and at the same time, keep strengthening the Swachh Bharat Mission. #10YearsOfSwachhBharat”.
This massive undertaking successfully mobilised nationwide participation, marking it as the largest behavioural change movement globally. By 2019, the mission celebrated the construction of over 100 million individual household toilets, declaring more than six lakh villages ODF, a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary.
Pak plans to give Rs 14 crore to Masood Azhar from public funds: Rajnath Singh
Addressing troops at a military base in Gujarat's Bhuj, Rajnath Singh claimed that the Pakistan government intended to give Rs 14 crore to Masood Azhar, the UN-designated terrorist and chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
India's GDP growth in Q4 of 2024-25 expected at 6.8-7 per cent: Report
The Indian economy is expected to grow at 6.8-7 per cent in the fourth quarter of the financial year 2024-25, driven by the agriculture sector, according to a Bank of Baroda report released on Friday.
BJP, Congress welcome govt's move to send multi-party MP delegations abroad on Pahalgam attack
The Narendra Modi-led government's planned diplomatic initiative of sending multi-party MP delegations to major world capitals to expose Pakistan’s role in the recent Pahalgam terror attack and to rally global support against cross-border terrorism has won support from both the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress.
Operation Sindoor reflects PM Modi’s resolve, seamless intelligence, and armed forces’ power: HM Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday lauded ‘Operation Sindoor’, India’s counterstrike in response to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, as a defining moment in the nation’s evolving security architecture.
Operation Sindoor: 48-member multi-party MP delegations to launch India's global diplomatic blitz from May 22
In a massive diplomatic push, the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has decided to dispatch multi-party MP delegations to key world capitals to expose Pakistan's hand in the recent Pahalgam terror attack and to build global support against cross-border terrorism.
Priority given to development of border villages in North Eastern states: Union MoS Dr. L Murugan
The Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Dr. L Murugan on Thursday arrived here at Agartala on a two-day visit to the state and laid emphasis on proper implementation of the flagship programmes of the Prime Minister.
MHA sanctioned another Tripura State Rifles battalion: CM Saha
An official of the Tripura Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said that the decision to create another TSR battalion was taken based on Chief Minister Manik Saha's proposal placed before Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his recent meeting in New Delhi.
CM Dr Manik Saha seeks support from DoNER ministry for AIMS in Tripura
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Thursday attended the second meeting of the High-Level Task Force on Investment Promotion in the North Eastern Region chaired by the DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and sought support of the ministry for establishment of AIMS in Tripura.