‘Safaigiri – 2015’ Award
Invitation
When the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi in the year 2014 wanted to see that the holy Ganga is kept clean, he had found out that 52 stairs at the Assi Ghat in Varanasi lay buried under mud and silt for the past five to six decades. Wielding a ‘Kudal’ (spade) he himself started desilting along the banks giving a message to the countrymen that faith can be restored only if holy places are completely kept clean. Answering the call of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, the then District Magistrate of Varanasi, Shri Pranjal Yadav, requested Sulabh International to undertake the project to clean the Assi Ghat. Despite adverse conditions, Sulabh, bearing the entire expenditure, pressed into service a crane and a tractor and took up the cleaning work on a war footing and completed it in a record time of two months. With the effort of Sulabh the Assi Ghat has now become one of the most beautiful river banks of Varanasi and Sulabh has won the Safaigiri-2015 Award from the Hon’ble Prime Minister. The locals and the tourists are able to enjoy their morning and evening strolls along the spruced up Ghat. Sulabh has taken over the charge of keeping the Assi Ghat completely clean. Flowers, leaves etc. thrown into the holy Ganga after religious rituals by pilgrims and devotees are filtered by Sulabh volunteers rowing around in boats which would also ferry the garbage. Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi presenting ‘Safaigiri-2015’ Award to Smt. Usha Chaumar, President of Sulabh International, for the best upkeep of the Assi Ghat in Varanasi.
Nowadays, cultural and spiritual events such as ‘Subah-ye-Varanasi’ (morning of Varanasi), hawan, Ganga-aarti, Yoga, Bhajan-Sandhya and Nritya-Sandhya (dance evening) etc. are attracting huge crowds at the Assi Ghat which is a real spiritual junction.
Hon'ble Shri Narendra Modi is the first Prime Minister of India, who has laid so much emphasis on cleanliness with his clarion call for Swachh Bharat, and we in Sulabh are striving hard and doing everything possible to turn his vision into a reality.
Hearty Birthday Wishes to
Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Harbinger of Nationalism: A Devoted Son of Mother India
17th September: ‘Sanitation Day’ May our country prosper with your mission of sanitation, cleanliness, health and harmony, ascend the steps of progress may your fame shine like the full moon on the horizon of time, and may all work be performed smoothly with your blessings.
Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak Sociologist and Social Reformer Founder, Sulabh Sanitation and Social Reform Movement
Our grateful nation wishes that your name may be applauded loudly all over.