People’s participation key to success of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: Suresh Gopi
Mangalore Today News Network
Mangaluru, Jul 6, 2026: Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas and Tourism Suresh Gopi on Monday said that the success of government initiatives such as the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan depends on active public participation, stressing that cleanliness is a shared civic responsibility rather than a symbolic exercise.
Speaking after inaugurating the Swachhata Pakhwada 2026 campaign, jointly organised by Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) and Ramakrishna Mutt at Kadri Park in Mangaluru, the minister said the vision of a clean India was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi and transformed into a nationwide movement under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He said the idea of a cleaner India was first pursued by Modi during his tenure as the Chief Minister of Gujarat and later expanded into a nationwide campaign after he became Prime Minister in 2014. Since then, the initiative has evolved into a people’s movement driven by public participation.
"Cleanliness is a public duty, a civic value and a shared responsibility. The real strength of Swachh Bharat lies in Jan Bhagidari (people’s participation). Governments can provide direction and organisations can extend support, but lasting change will come only when citizens take ownership," he said.
Suresh Gopi said he would visit 10 states as part of the Swachhata Pakhwada campaign, while Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and other ministers would cover additional states.
Praising MRPL for partnering with Ramakrishna Mutt, he said the collaboration reflected the company’s commitment not only to industrial growth but also to social welfare and environmental protection.
"When institutions, volunteers and students come together, cleanliness becomes more than an activity—it becomes a collective social behaviour," he said.
The minister said cleanliness is closely linked to public health, dignity, tourism, environmental conservation and national pride. Referring to the oil and natural gas sector, he noted that the industry has responsibilities beyond ensuring the country’s energy security, including waste management, environmental protection, community welfare and sustainable development.
He also acknowledged the efforts of sanitation workers and frontline personnel for their contribution to maintaining clean public spaces.
Urging citizens to adopt environmentally responsible practices, Suresh Gopi appealed to people to avoid littering, reduce plastic waste, keep their surroundings clean and encourage others to do the same.
He also called upon the younger generation to actively participate in the ’Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign by planting a tree in honour of their mothers.
As part of the programme, the minister planted a sapling under the campaign at Kadri Park and distributed jute bags to students.
Dakshina Kannada MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta said Mangaluru is among the country’s ten cleanest cities and credited the Swaccha Mangaluru campaign for making cleanliness an integral part of the city’s culture.
Ramakrishna Mutt President Jithakamanandaji, MLA D. Vedavyasa Kamath, MRPL Managing Director Mundkur Shyamprasad Kamath, and Director (Refinery) Nandakumar V. Pillai were among those present at the event.