India Reclaims its Historic Swachh Heritage

Celebrating the release of a new study that revealed that the heritage of India is one of Swachhta, interfaith leaders and dignitaries, as well as Gandhians, gathered together to launch Swachhata Sanskriti, which provides interesting and previously-unreported details about the history of cleanliness that India had enjoyed in the pre-colonial era.  The launch was organised by the Global Interfaith WASH Alliance (GIWA), Ganga Action Parivar in collaboration with Harijan Sevak Singh to commemorate Pandit Deen Dayal Updhyaya’s Birth Anniversary during the ongoing Swachhta Hi Seva Campaign inspired by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Nrendra Modi ji.  

“It is so auspicious to be celebrating Pandit Deen Dayal Updhayaya’s Birth Anniversary at the Gandhi Ashram,” shared Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatji at the event.  “At the core of Pandit Updhayaya’s work was integral humanism, keeping humans and not wealth or material prosperity at the center. The time has come to take his divine example from humans to all of humanity, as a collective whole.  This is what GIWA and GAP are committed to improving. Rejuvenating our sacred rivers and environmental preservation as this is serving all of humanity.” 

Blessing the gathering HH Drikung Kyabonji said, “I am so glad to be associated with GIWA and GAP for our work together to protect our planet, protect our water resources and end plastic pollution. From cleaning up the Himalayan region to protecting the sacred fresh water sources that originate from them in Ladakh, Rishikesh and Dehradun we are working to preserve and serve these regions through faith in action and inspire a new generation of young leaders of faith to see that serving all of creation is our primary Dhamma.”

Said Hon’ble Jal Shakti Minister, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, “Today I am especially glad to join you on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s 150 years, when the nation celebrates becoming 100% open defecation free, at the sacred space of Mahatma Gandhiji, in this august presence, admist Gandhians to launch a book on an issue that was especially dear to Bapu. I was recently at the Stockholm World Water Week and when the high-level representatives of many countries heard about the success of our Swachh Bharat Mission, they were inspired and motivated that if India can do it they could as well. This is the hope that we have lit in the world to be the torchbearers of our nation’s rich history and culture in which cleanliness was an integral and essential.” 

Ganga Action Parivar (GAP) has been involved with water conservation and preservation issues for over  a decade, and many of the programs and services that GIWA currently delivers were developed and initiated by the dedicated team at GAP.  With the incredible and divine foundation supplied by GAP, GIWA has been able to further flourish and expand awareness of the need for water conservation and accessibility, as well as implement programs and services that transform entire communities thoughts and behaviors.