Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, urged government ministries to convert the ongoing cleanliness initiative into a nationwide mass movement. He emphasized the need for public participation, innovation, and private sector engagement during a high-level review meeting on the implementation of Special Campaign 5.0.
In his address, Dr. Singh stressed moving beyond mere symbolic actions. He highlighted the importance of institutionalizing cleanliness, space optimization, and record management as integral components of daily governance. “We should integrate technology, community engagement, and private sector collaboration to ensure that the campaign sustains itself throughout the year,” he said.
The minister proposed leveraging corporate partnerships and collaborations with MSMEs, facilitated by NASSCOM, to introduce innovative waste management solutions. He focused on addressing challenges in urban clusters, hotels, and government establishments. The integration of digital technologies and smart recycling models, including automated waste segregation and electronic scrap management, could not only improve operational efficiency but also create new job opportunities.
Dr. Singh encouraged the sharing of best practices across ministries, proposing that successful cleanliness models in various domains be documented in a central repository for national dissemination. He also highlighted the need for identifying innovative ideas like electronic file disposal, smart waste reuse, and effective management of cleared government lands, which could set new standards in governance.
The minister pointed out the critical role of youth and women in energizing the campaign. “When young people and women join the movement, it becomes more vibrant and impactful,” he remarked. He urged amplifying Swachhata messages through schools, colleges, and community volunteers to foster a culture of responsibility and participation.
Reflecting on the successes of prior campaigns, Dr. Singh noted that Special Campaign 5.0 has transformed from a short-term cleanliness drive to a comprehensive governance model focused on efficiency, transparency, and citizen-centric administration. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment under Prime Minister Narendra Modi to maintain this momentum, announcing that innovative practices gleaned from the campaign would be shared with States, PSUs, and autonomous bodies.
During the meeting, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, also spoke on the necessity of behavioral change and youth engagement to realize the goals of Swachh Bharat. He proposed appointing student and youth ambassadors from colleges and universities to foster cleanliness and hygiene awareness in their communities.
The meeting saw participation from notable officials including V. Srinivas, Secretary of DARPG, Sarita Chuhan, and other senior leaders from the relevant departments. Their collective insights reinforced the shared commitment to push forward the vision of a cleaner and healthier India.