Replace plastic bags with cloth bags: PM Modi urges citizens in ‘Mann Ki Baat’

In his monthly radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on fellow citizens to pledge to replace plastic bags with cloth bags, describing ‘waste to wealth’ as an important dimension of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

PM Modi stated in his 98th ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address that the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has changed the definition of public participation (jan bhagidaari) in the country. In ‘Mann Ki Baat,’ the Prime Minister mentioned the Haryana youth’s cleanliness campaign.

He said, “There is a village in Haryana called Dulhedi. The youth here decided that Bhiwani city has to be made exemplary in terms of cleanliness. They formed an organisation called Yuva Swachhta Evam Janseva Samiti. The youth associated with this committee reach Bhiwani at 4 in the morning. Together, they run cleanliness drives at different places in the city. These people have so far cleared tons of garbage from different areas of the city.”

Prime Minister Modi also mentioned Kamala Moharana, a self-help group leader from Odisha’s Kendrapada district. He claims that the women in this self-help group make baskets and mobile stands out of milk pouches and other plastic packaging materials.

“‘Waste to wealth’ is also an important dimension of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. This is becoming a good source of income for them along with ensuring cleanliness. If we take a resolution, we can make a huge contribution towards a clean India. At least, we all should take a pledge to replace plastic bags with cloth bags,” said PM Modi.

In ‘Mann ki Baat,’ PM Modi also discussed Indian toys and storytelling forms. He stated that citizens have helped to make ‘Mann Ki Baat’ a fantastic platform for public participation.

He said, “In Mann ki Baat, we referred to Indian toys. My fellow citizens have promoted it as well, and they did so readily. Nowadays, Indian toys have become a such craze that their demand has increased even in foreign countries. When we spoke of the Indian genre of story-telling in ‘Mann ki Baat, their fame also reached far and wide. People started getting attracted to the Indian story-telling genre more and more.”

Extending good wishes to countrymen for Holi, PM Modi urged that the festival be celebrated with the resolve of ‘Vocal for Local’.

“Holi is just a few days away. I would like to wish a happy Holi to all of you. We have to celebrate our festival with the resolve of ‘Vocal for Local’. Do not forget to share your experiences with me as well,”PM Modi stated.

‘Mann ki Baat’ is a monthly address broadcast on All India Radio on the last Sunday of each month in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with the people of India.