President Droupadi Murmu laid the foundation stone for the Indore-Ujjain Six Lane Road Project in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain district on Thursday and graced 'Safai Mitra Sammelan' on the occasion.
The President also honoured 'Safai Mitras' and praised that Madhya Pradesh has achieved a leading position in the field of urban and rural sanitation. Addressing the gathering, the President said, "Avantika (Ujjain's former name) is the holy and pious city of Baba Mahakal. The Gupta period was the golden age of Indian history and at that time Ujjain was an important city of India with an ancient tradition of culture and civilization here. 2000 years ago, Ujjain was an excellent centre of transportation besides being the centre of international trade. The great poet Kalidas has given a wonderful depiction of the vastness and grandeur of Ujjaini in his 'Meghdoot'. The importance that Alkapuri city has in Devlok, is the same importance that Ujjain city has on earth. I bow down to Baba Mahakal, Avantika city, and the holy Kshipra river." "Many efforts are being made for the integrated development of Ujjain and the state. Bhoomi-pujan of Ujjain-Indore six lane road has been performed in Ujjain today. Vikram Udyogpuri Medical Devices Park is being built here. Expressways and elevated corridors are being built in Madhya Pradesh. I wish all the best for the success of these efforts," she added. Talking about cleanliness, the President said that cleanliness in India has become a nationwide campaign and the goal of complete cleanliness in the country has to be achieved by 2025. "In the last 10 years, cleanliness in India has become a nationwide campaign. In the second phase of the cleanliness campaign, we have to achieve the goal of complete cleanliness in the country by 2025. Work is in progress towards total freedom from open defecation and excellence in solid and liquid waste management in the country. We have to fulfil Mahatma Gandhi's ideal of cleanliness," she said. Madhya Pradesh has achieved a leading position in the field of urban and rural sanitation. Many cities of Madhya Pradesh have been declared the best cities for cleanliness. Indore has been declared the cleanest city in the country for the 7th consecutive time. Bhopal has become the cleanest capital, the President said. "Sanitation workers are frontline cleanliness warriors. I feel proud to honour them today. We will protect the safety, dignity, and welfare of sanitation workers. Arrangements are being made to eliminate man-holes and clean them through machine-holes. Efforts are being made to benefit Safai Mitras under various welfare schemes of the central and state governments. Madhya Pradesh has done remarkable work in this field," she said. Meanwhile, CM Mohan Yadav said that the day became historic and brought new gifts. "Today the President has inaugurated the construction of a 6-lane road worth Rs 1692 crore to connect Indore to Ujjain. With this, Ujjain will be connected not only to Indore but to the entire country and made easily accessible," CM Yadav said. "This day will be written in golden letters. The day has become historic and has brought new gifts. Avantika, situated on the banks of the holy river Kshipra, which has existed in every age and period, has always symbolised the progress of people through the dimensions of its development in every era. It is said that whoever comes to the banks of Kshipra with hope, God fulfils it," the CM said. The message of cleanliness has been given through Safai Mitras in all areas of development. Cleanliness fortnight is being observed from the Prime Minister's birthday, September 17 to October 2. The fortnight underlines the Prime Minister's passion for cleanliness and also makes one realise the important role of sanitation workers. Sanitation workers stand like a strong wall between sickness and life, the CM said. Madhya Pradesh stood second in cleanliness among all the states of the country. Also, Bhopal has received the title of the cleanest capital of the country, thus strengthening our bond with cleanliness. Indore has achieved this distinction among the cleanest cities in India for seven consecutive times, the CM added. (ANI)
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