The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare organised a voluntary cleanliness drive, or Shramdaan, under the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva 2026’ campaign near Gate No. 3 of Kartavya Bhavan-1 on Dr Rajendra Prasad Marg in New Delhi.
Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health Research and Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), led the cleanliness drive.
Senior officials, including Additional Secretary and Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM), Aradhana Patnaik; Additional Secretary and Director General, National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), Dr Rakesh Gupta; and Director General of Health Services (DGHS), Dr Loveneesh G. Krishna, along with other officials and staff of the Ministry, participated in the drive.
The officials and staff took part in the activity with enthusiasm, reaffirming the spirit of collective action under the campaign theme, ‘Ek Din, Ek Ghanta, Ek Saath’.
Speaking to the media, Dr Rajiv Bahl highlighted the importance of making cleanliness a sustained collective effort and encouraged officials and citizens to actively contribute towards maintaining clean and healthy surroundings.
Aradhana Patnaik stressed the importance of Jan Bhagidari and individual responsibility in promoting cleanliness and creating healthier public spaces. She said sustained cleanliness requires active participation and responsible action by every individual.
The cleanliness drive is part of the ongoing ‘Swachhata Hi Seva 2026’ campaign, which seeks to strengthen Jan Bhagidari and encourage citizens to participate actively in cleanliness efforts across the country.
The campaign emphasises that lasting cleanliness is not only an institutional responsibility but also a shared societal commitment requiring sustained public participation and collective action at the community level.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reiterated its commitment to the objectives of Swachh Bharat, while highlighting the close link between cleanliness, public health and healthy living.
The Ministry also stressed the importance of sustained awareness, responsible waste management and active citizen participation in creating cleaner, healthier and more sustainable public spaces.