Pralhad Joshi leads cleanliness drive at Delhi's Gargi College, backs Viksit Bharat 2047
Synopsis
Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi took a broom and a sapling to Gargi College on 1 October, turning a campus event into a pitch for Viksit Bharat 2047 — asking students to spend 30 minutes a day on cleanliness and balance their screen time with sport. It is the latest sign that the government is positioning youth civic engagement as a pillar of its 2047 vision.
Key Takeaways
Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi led a Shramdaan and Cleanliness Drive at Gargi College, University of Delhi on 1 October 2026 .
The event was held under the 'Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath' nationwide initiative.
Joshi urged students to dedicate at least 30 minutes daily to Swachhata activities at home, campus, and public spaces.
The Minister planted a sapling under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign on the college premises.
University of Delhi Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh and senior Ministry of Education officials attended the event.
Joshi also encouraged students to prioritise outdoor sports and physical fitness alongside academics and digital activity.
Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi on Thursday, 1 October 2026, led a Shramdaan and Cleanliness Drive at Gargi College, University of Delhi, calling students the cornerstone of building a clean, green, and healthy India by 2047. The event was held under the nationwide 'Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath' initiative, which mobilises citizens for structured cleanliness participation across institutions.
What the Minister Said
Addressing students gathered at the college, Joshi emphasised that cleanliness is directly linked to public health and community well-being, and urged each student to dedicate at least 30 minutes daily to Swachhata-oriented activities. He stressed that individual efforts, when sustained, can transform cleanliness into a genuine people's movement rather than a one-time event.
The Minister also underscored the importance of extending responsible habits beyond campus boundaries. 'Maintain Swachhata not only in educational institutions but also at home and in public spaces,' he told students, according to an official statement.
Key Activities at Gargi College
Joshi planted a sapling on the college premises under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, which encourages citizens to plant trees in honour of their mothers as a symbol of environmental care. He also took part in a question-and-answer session with students on the theme of responsible citizenship.
Vice Chancellor of the University of Delhi, Yogesh Singh, along with faculty members of Gargi College and senior officials from the Ministry of Education, were present at the event.
Students, Sports and Screen Balance
Beyond cleanliness, Joshi addressed the broader well-being of young people, encouraging students to participate in sports and spend time on playgrounds. He highlighted the importance of balancing physical fitness and outdoor engagement against screen-based activities — a concern increasingly cited by health experts as digital device usage rises among adolescents in India.
The Viksit Bharat 2047 Context
The drive is part of a wider government push to engage youth in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India by the centenary of Independence. The Viksit Bharat@2047 framework spans pillars including economic development, sustainability, health, and civic participation. Student-led cleanliness drives and tree-plantation campaigns have become recurring instruments in this outreach, connecting grassroots action to the larger national narrative.
As campuses across India participate in such initiatives, the government's focus appears firmly set on converting institutional momentum into long-term civic habits among the country's youth.
Point of View
Broom, speech — and this one follows that script closely. What is worth watching is whether 'Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath' moves beyond symbolic participation days into measurable civic habit change, which no previous Swachhata campaign has convincingly demonstrated at scale. The Viksit Bharat 2047 framing gives these events a longer narrative arc, but the risk is that youth engagement remains episodic rather than structural. The government's decision to route this messaging through universities is strategically sound; whether it translates into lasting behaviour is a question the data, when collected, will answer.
NationPress
1 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath' initiative?
'Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath' is a nationwide campaign that mobilises citizens — particularly students — to collectively dedicate one hour on a designated day to cleanliness and civic activities. It forms part of the broader Swachhata mission linked to the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
What did Pralhad Joshi do at Gargi College on 1 October?
Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi led a Shramdaan and Cleanliness Drive at Gargi College, University of Delhi, on 1 October 2026. He planted a sapling under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign and interacted with students on responsible citizenship.
What is the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign?
'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' is a government-backed tree-plantation drive that encourages citizens to plant a tree in honour of their mother as a gesture of environmental care. It has been promoted alongside other Swachhata and green-India campaigns under the Viksit Bharat framework.
Why are students being targeted in Viksit Bharat 2047 outreach?
The government views students as agents of sustained behavioural change who can carry civic habits into homes and communities. Minister Joshi emphasised that student participation in cleanliness and environmental activities can inspire collective action and help make Swachhata a long-term people's movement rather than a periodic exercise.
Who else attended the Gargi College event?
University of Delhi Vice Chancellor Yogesh Singh, faculty members of Gargi College, and senior officials of the Ministry of Education were present at the event, according to an official statement.
