The Kumbh Mela this year seems to be a milestone year with all record-breaking initiatives. It was only a few days back that two Guinness World Records were made — one on ‘print painting’ and another for ‘largest parade of buses’. But the latest addition is a significant one and echoes with the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission).
More than 10,000 sanitation workers were engaged in cleansing of the adjacent area. The way the whole mass sanitation was carried out, highlights the commitment and concern of the dutiful sanitation workers. This is indeed a record to be proud of!
Previously, during the ‘Paint my City’ initiative, 7,664 people from all age groups of the handprint community participated and it surpassed the earlier record of 4,675 people participating in such an occasion in Seoul. On the other hand, on Feb 28, 500 busses covering a stretch of 3.2 km queued up, which itself was another Guinness World Record.
The whole initiative of mass sanitation was a collaboration between the Kumbh Mela Authority and the UP Healthcare Department. Prior to the Mela, the much-anticipated congregation of people, there were concerns about cleanliness. Nonetheless, the mass effort has truly overwhelmed the entire globe. And no doubt, the efforts of 10,000 odd sanitation workers highlight the very motto of the Clean India Mission.
This Kumbh Mela has truly set a new benchmark of cleanliness and concern in the history of India. The UP government, under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, deserves much applause for this gigantic effort in the World Record breaking venture.
As of now, 9, 23, 27,496 household toilets have been built in India under the Swacch Bharat Mission since its launch on Oct 2, 2014. Not only that, the initiative has resulted in 5, 54,726 open defecation free villages. There are 4,465 open defecation free villages in Namami Gange. Per official records, there are 610 open defecation free districts now, and 28 open states and Union Territories are open defecation free.
The Swacch Bharat Mission aims to clean up the streets, roads and infrastructure of India’s cities, towns and rural areas. Truly, the extra-ordinary efforts of the Kumbh Mela authority and the UP Government reflect the bigger motto of the Swacch Bharat Mission.
