In a major recognition to Prime Minister
Narendra Modi's ambitious
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the US based Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will confer the PM with an award for his clean India initiative which was launched during his first term at the Centre in 2014.
The foundation has decided to honour Modi with the award during his visit to the US later this month.
Minister of state in the PMO, Jitendra Singh on Monday made the announcement and said, "Another award, another moment of pride for every Indian as PM Modi’s diligent and innovative initiatives bring laurels from across the world. PM Modi to receive award from Bill Melinda Gates Foundation for #SwachhBharatAbhiyaan during his visit to the United States."
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, or the Clean India Mission, was one of the first few ambitious projects that PM Modi launched immediately after the BJP-led NDA came to power in 2014. The project was launched as a tribute to
Mahatma Gandhi on his birth anniversary on October 2, 2014.
PM Modi is travelling to the United States later this month to attend the annual session of the United States General Assembly.
The Clean India initiative, primarily focused at elimination of open defecation nationwide, has two thrust areas: Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (rural), which operates under the ministry of drinking water and sanitation, and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (urban), which operates under the ministry of housing and urban affairs. A 2018 report by the World Health Organisation said at least 1.8 lakh diarrhoeal deaths have been averted in rural areas since the launch of Swachhta Bharat programme. Government estimates claim over 89% houses in villages now have got sanitary toilets.