Journalism of Courage
AN OBSERVATION — in connection with the central government’s avowed Swacch Bharat Abhiyan — made by Pune’s Post Master General Ganesh V Sawaleshwarkar on “My gov” portal regarding cleanliness at tourist places has drawn the attention of none other than the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, himself.
On Sunday, the Prime Minister in his monthly “Mann Ki Baat” radio address, cited the letter and suggestion by the Pune PMG stating that “while we believe in Athithi Devo Bhava (Guests are like God), most of the tourist destinations are neglected which does not go well with the tourists.” Prime Minister Modi, addressing the nation, said that he welcomes the suggestion made by Sawaleshwarkar and urged people to maintain cleanliness at the tourist locations.
My gov is a platform founded by the government to promote active participation of citizens in their country’s governance and development.
With the New Year’s eve and Christmas holidays on, people are travelling and the Prime Minister stated that it is up to the people “to keep places neat so that tourists coming to India take back a good impression.”
Sawaleshwarkar, who originally hails from Nanded, said he practises the same in his office too. Having just taken over the Pune office after his transfer from Baroda, the PMG said that he does plan to have some new initiatives at his office as well. “Being a government servant, we follow the cleanliness campaign initiated by the Prime Minister in our office. In fact, it was just four days ago I thought of putting down my thoughts on the website regarding cleanliness, especially at the tourist locations,’’ said Sawaleshwarkar, who has been inundated with calls from his friends on PM’s mention of his letter in the mygov website.
At his place, the phone has not stopped ringing and he is extremely happy that the PM has mentioned his name. “It is yet to sink in and we have just received the recording and I am extremely elated that my suggestion was mentioned,’’ he said.
The PM in his speech said that Pune’s Ganesh Sawaleshwarkar raised a vital point on the importance of cleanliness at the tourist places and pilgrimage sites. He welcomed the suggestion of Ganesh, saying clean tourist spots will work in building a better image of India. Quoting ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ idiom (guest is like God), the Prime Minister said cleanliness at tourist spots must be like decorating own house before the arrival of the guest. Modi also expressed happiness and thanked media for highlighting positive stories about cleanliness.
