Swachhata Hi Seva
The year 2025 marks a vibrant chapter in India’s journey towards cleanliness and public health under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM). The annual Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) campaign has evolved into a mass movement uniting millions in the spirit of civic responsibility. The campaign’s latest edition, themed Swachhotsav, reaffirms the nation’s pledge to transform neglected spaces and waste management systems, encouraging dignity and sustainability at every level.
Swachhata Hi Seva 2025 – A Nationwide Movement
Swachhata Hi Seva, launched in 2017, is an annual cleanliness drive culminating on 2nd October, Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary. The 2025 campaign spans 15 days, engaging citizens, government bodies, and civil society in cleaning drives and awareness activities. The focus is on Antyodaya se Sarvodaya — uplifting the marginalised to achieve collective progress. The campaign emphasises last-mile inclusion, ensuring rural and urban areas alike benefit from improved sanitation and environment.
Shramdaan – Collective Voluntary Service
On 25th September 2025, the Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath Shramdaan drive mobilised millions for one hour of voluntary cleanliness work. Activities included plogging, waste segregation, and beautification of Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs). Political leaders, youth groups, NGOs, and sanitation workers actively participated. The drive honoured sanitation workers, recognising their essential role in maintaining public health and dignity.
Waste Management and Dumpsite Remediation
SBM has revolutionised India’s approach to waste. Urban areas now process over 81% of solid waste, a leap from 16% in 2014. Facilities such as Material Recovery Facilities, composting units, and waste-to-energy plants form the backbone of this system. Dumpsite remediation has reclaimed 7,646 acres by treating 58% of accumulated legacy waste. Iconic projects include Delhi’s Bhalswa landfill and Rajkot’s urban forest, transforming toxic landfills into green, productive spaces.
Government Ministries’ Role in Swachhata
Multiple ministries actively support Swachhata Hi Seva 2025. The Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Cooperation, Parliamentary Affairs, and Ports, Shipping & Waterways have launched cleanliness drives, health camps, and eco-friendly initiatives. These collective efforts demonstrate policy translating into ground-level action, encouraging a culture of cleanliness across sectors.
Impact and Success Stories
Over 12 crore toilets have been built nationwide, drastically reducing open defecation and improving women’s safety. Public health benefits include saving nearly 3 lakh children under five from sanitation-related diseases. States like Jammu & Kashmir, Assam, and Uttar Pradesh showcase innovative models. The Amarnath Yatra 2025 achieved zero-landfill status. Assam’s women transformed invasive water hyacinth into sustainable handicrafts. Agra converted a massive dumpsite into a green urban hub, integrating waste recycling with livelihood generation.
Changing Cleanliness from Campaign to Culture
Swachh Bharat Mission has transcended a cleanliness drive to become a cultural movement. It redefines public health, environmental responsibility, and social dignity. By targeting neglected urban and rural spaces, it restores beauty and functionality to everyday environments. Swachhata Hi Seva 2025 strengthens this legacy, aiming to embed cleanliness as a permanent national value, paving the way for a developed India by 2047.
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