Looking ahead, the Ministry has laid out plans for the Special Cleaning Campaign 4.0 scheduled from October 4 to October 31, 2024, aimed at maintaining cleanliness in public and office spaces, resolving public grievances, and reducing work backlog
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) organized the “Swachhata Hi Seva 2024” (SHS-2024) campaign from September 17 to October 2, 2024.
This nationwide initiative aimed to promote cleanliness and sustainability, actively engaging Indian Missions and Posts worldwide, along with offices across India, including Regional Passport Offices, MEA Branch Secretariats, and Protector of Emigrants offices, an MEA Press release said.
As part of the campaign’s efforts, the Ministry focused on three key pillars: Swachhata Ki Bhaagidari (citizen participation in cleanliness), Sampoorna Swachhata (complete cleanliness), and Safai Mitra Suraksha Shivir (health and safety camps for sanitation workers).
These initiatives were communicated to over 200 Indian Missions and Posts abroad, encouraging large-scale advocacy and community involvement.
The SHS-2024 campaign adopted a “whole of society” approach, fostering public participation through cleanliness drives, health camps, and efforts to clean difficult areas, or “blackspots.”
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The campaign’s widespread success was amplified through social media, with offices and subordinate offices sharing their activities on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram
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In a final highlight of the SHS-2024, the MEA celebrated Gandhi Jayanti and Swachh Bharat Diwas on October 2, 2024, with enthusiasm, ensuring significant participation both in India and abroad
It reinforced the nation’s commitment to sustainable waste management and a circular economy. Over the course of the campaign, more than 1,085 Swachhata Mein Jan Bhagidari activities were organized, alongside 81 Safai Mitra Suraksha Shivirs.
The Ministry also identified and cleared 282 critical trash units (CTUs) and held a variety of engaging events, such as tree-planting drives under “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam,” marathons, street plays, essay competitions, and human chains advocating for behavioral change toward cleanliness.
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar led many of these efforts, participating in the plantation drive during his visits to Switzerland, Mauritius, and the Maldives, where he addressed local communities and administered Swachhata pledges.
Ministers of State, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh and Shri Pabitra Margherita, also took part in tree planting and human chain activities in New Delhi, further reinforcing the campaign’s momentum.
A special focus was placed on honoring the contributions of sanitation workers, or Safai Mitras. More than 81 health camps were organized across India and abroad, offering preventive health checkups to sanitation workers and their families through single-window services in partnership with CGHS-empaneled healthcare providers.
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