Gandhi was most deserving for Top UN Green Award: PM ModiTop Stories

October 01, 2018 16:09
Gandhi was most deserving for Top UN Green Award: PM Modi

(Image source from: Times of India)

Ahead of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi which falls on October 2, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged Indians to buy products made by Indians.

Modi said cleanliness was an important aspect of Mahatma Gandhi's life and the father of the nation was the most deserving candidate for the United Nations Champions of the Earth Award.

PM Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron were jointly awarded the UN's highest environmental honor for their pioneering work in championing the International Solar Alliance and advancing new areas of cooperation on environmental action.

Gandhiji was the most deserving candidate for the UN Champions of the Earth award, the PM said while addressing a gathering in Rajkot after inaugurating a museum dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi.

"Cleanliness was an important aspect of Gandhi's life and he used to say, if he had to choose between cleanliness and freedom, he would choose cleanliness first, such was his commitment towards cleanliness," he said.

Every Indian should have it in their hearts that a barrister (Gandhiji) gave up everything for the country and freed the country from the shackles of foreign rule, PM Modi said.

The prime minister as well asserted that sanitation coverage in the country under his four-year-old had increased manifold.

Before 2014, sanitation coverage in the country was a mere 35 percent. However, in four years of the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) government, it has increased to 95 percent, he said.

PM Modi said the sanitation coverage in the country before the NDA government came to power in 2014 was a mere 35 percent despite there being so many governments in the past and a dozen prime ministers.

"The United Nations has said 3 lakh children were saved due to the cleanliness movement (of the NDA government). What bigger humanitarian work can there be?" he asked.

PM Modi said people stood up to applaud him for receiving the 'Champions of the Earth' award, but the most deserving person for this honor was Mahatma Gandhi and likewise the 125 crore citizens of the country.

By Sowmya Sangam

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