Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju, Arjun Ram Meghwal, Pralhad Joshi, and several other central government leaders on Thursday, 1 October 2026, took part in cleanliness drives at multiple locations across New Delhi under the 'Swachhata Hi Seva' campaign, calling for a sustained and renewed push to deepen the Swachh Bharat movement nationwide.

Ministers Fan Out Across the Capital

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju visited Navyug School in New Delhi, which falls under the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), and participated in the Swachhata Hi Seva programme. Speaking to reporters, Rijiju reflected on the campaign's trajectory: 'It has been almost twelve years since the Swachh Bharat Mission was launched. When the Prime Minister announced it from the Red Fort, various programmes related to the Swachh Bharat Mission were organised across the country. Now, we are trying to further strengthen the campaign in a renewed manner,' he said. He added that he was impressed by the level of cleanliness awareness among students at the school.

Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal participated in a 'shramdaan' drive at the historic Safdarjung Tomb, organised under the Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 campaign. Meghwal noted that two departments under the Ministry of Law and Justice had undertaken the drive at the heritage site as part of the larger initiative.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi visited Gargi College of Delhi University, where he swept the college premises and planted a sapling under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign. Joshi also interacted with students during the visit, reinforcing the message of civic responsibility among young citizens.

2,500 Sites Mobilised Across Delhi

Under the leadership of Delhi BJP president and Union Minister Harsh Malhotra, cleanliness drives were organised at around 2,500 locations across the national capital. A dedicated drive was also conducted near Raja Ram Kohli Marg and Sai Bhawan in Geeta Colony, East Delhi, as part of the campaign's city-wide outreach.

What the Ministers Said

Union Minister C.R. Patil stressed that cleanliness must be a daily habit rather than an episodic gesture. 'Cleanliness should not be something that we do only occasionally. We have to maintain cleanliness every day, just as we clean our homes every day. We should not expect others to clean up after us when we are the ones creating the mess. Instead, we should avoid littering and dispose of the waste generated by us at the appropriate place,' Patil said.

Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called upon citizens nationwide to participate in the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan for nearly 30 days — from 2 October, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, to 31 October, the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Reddy urged people across the country to join the campaign and contribute actively.

NDRF and Delhi Government Join In

A cleanliness drive was simultaneously organised in the R.K. Puram Assembly constituency as part of the National Disaster Response Force's (NDRF) 'One Day, One Hour, Together' campaign. NDRF Director General Piyush Anand said the initiative brought together officials, civic workers, public representatives, and students. 'We are all conducting this campaign together. The MCD Deputy Director is also with us, along with the MLA from this area, MCD health workers, children and directors as well,' Anand said, describing the effort as a reflection of the Prime Minister's vision of holistic governance.

Delhi Minister Ashish Sood also participated in a cleanliness drive at Jeevan Park in the Janakpuri Assembly constituency. Sood said, 'From October 1 to October 17, a major cleanliness campaign is being conducted in Delhi by the Delhi government and all agencies associated with the Delhi government. Today, all elected representatives have come out to contribute through shramdaan. Tomorrow, all MLAs and ministers will launch this campaign across Delhi's 12 zones along with the youth of Delhi.'

This year's campaign takes on added significance as the Swachh Bharat Mission approaches its 12th anniversary, with authorities framing the ongoing drives as a shift from symbolic participation to embedding cleanliness as a civic norm ahead of the Gandhi Jayanti observances on 2 October.