New Delhi, May 29 (FN Agency) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday stressed on cleanliness at pilgrimage sites and appealed to people to focus on the same. Referring to the ongoing ‘Char Dham Yatra’ in Uttarakhand, Modi during his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address said,”Thousands of devotees are reaching every day at ‘Char-Dham’ and especially in Kedarnath. People are sharing happy experiences, but some are also very sad because of the filth being spread by some pilgrims in Kedarnath.” If we go on a holy pilgrimage and come across a filth there, it is not right, he observed.
“Wherever we go, let us maintain the dignity of these pilgrimage sites. Purity, cleanliness and a pious environment… we should never forget these and for that it is imperative that we abide by the resolution of cleanliness,” the PM said. He further said, “Where there is faith, there is also creation and positivity. There are many devotees who are worshiping in the Dham of Baba Kedar, as well as performing the sadhna of cleanliness. Some are cleaning near the place of stay, while others are cleaning garbage along the travel route. ” Many organisations and voluntary organisations are also working there along with the ‘Swachh Bharat’ campaign team, Modi said. “Without ‘teertha sewa’, a pilgrimage is incomplete. There are many people in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand who are engaged in the ‘sadhana’ of cleanliness and service,” he said.
The PM also mentioned about Shriman Manoj Bainjwal from Rudraprayag, who has been running the campaign of cleanliness for making holy places plastic free and lauded his effort. He also mentioned about Surendra Bagwadi from Guptkashi who has made cleanliness his life mantra, and Champa Devi from Devar village in Garhwal district for teaching waste management to women of the village. “Through the efforts of such people the divinity of Devbhoomi and holy places has been maintained…We go there to experience it, so it is our responsibility to maintain this divinity and spirituality,” the PM said. Modi also mentioned about the upcoming ‘World Environment Day’ and appealed people to make some effort for cleanliness and tree plantation. Plant a tree yourself and inspire others too, he said.