CM honours ‘Swachhata Didis’ for their tireless service; Jashpur’s national rise in cleanliness rankings hailed
Raipur, July 25, 2025 : Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai has said that cleanliness is not just a campaign, but a collective responsibility of every citizen. Addressing a felicitation event organised in village Bagia of Jashpur district, CM Sai honoured ‘Swachhata Didis’ with sarees, mementoes, and commendation certificates, acknowledging their significant role in making India cleaner and healthier.
He said, “Jashpur is a naturally rich and beautiful district, but earlier when I visited the villages, garbage littered on roadsides used to mar the scenic beauty of our towns and villages.” Recalling the transformative moment, CM Sai praised Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for launching the Swachh Bharat Mission on October 2, 2014, turning it into a nationwide people’s movement. “PM Modi picked up the broom himself and awakened the nation—from village lanes to urban streets—to the importance of cleanliness, empowering citizens to live with dignity,” he said.
Highlighting the pivotal role of Swachhata Didis, CM Sai stated, “Their dedication and commitment have earned Jashpur national recognition in cleanliness. They truly deserve our highest respect for providing us a clean and healthy environment.” He further appealed to all citizens to take up cleanliness of their homes, neighbourhoods, crossroads, temples, and public places as a personal responsibility and make hygiene a part of their daily habit.
The CM noted that the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, under the Swachh Bharat Mission–Urban (SBM-U), evaluated 4,589 cities through the Swachh Survekshan 2024, and Jashpur’s urban local bodies made an unprecedented mark.
Jashpurnagar ranked 10th nationwide in the 20,000–50,000 population category, a leap from 505th position in 2023. Nagar Panchayat Kunkuri ranked 13th, Pathalgaon secured 30th, Bagicha came 51st and Kotba placed 64th in the same category. This remarkable achievement is the result of relentless efforts by Swachhata Didis and a coordinated push by the administration.
Under the guidance of CM Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, a host of structured interventions have been executed by urban local bodies to beautify and sanitise the region. These include construction of BT roads, road markings, upgradation of community toilets, beautification of squares and intersections, wall paintings, parks made from waste material, composting sheds, recycling centres, installation of paver blocks on footpaths, and signage systems. However, at the heart of all these efforts are the Swachhata Didis who carry out labour-intensive tasks such as door-to-door garbage collection in every alley and neighbourhood.
On the occasion, Jashpur MLA Smt. Raymuni Bhagat congratulated the Swachhata Didis, officials of the urban bodies, and all citizens for this collective achievement. Smt. Gomti Sai, Vice President of the Sarguja Development Authority and MLA of Pathalgaon, said that the Didis have embraced a task once socially neglected. “Earlier, there was little awareness about sanitation. But under the Swachh Bharat Mission, these women not only educated communities but also ensured a shift in behaviour—this is what has earned Jashpur this honour,” she said.
The event witnessed the presence of District Panchayat President Shri Salik Sai, Vice President Shri Shaurya Pratap Singh Judev, Collector Shri Rohit Vyas, Municipal Council President Shri Arvind Bhagat, Vice President Shri Yash Pratap Singh Judev, along with other public representatives and a large number of distinguished citizens.
The program underscored how community efforts, led by women at the grassroots, can transform districts and bring national recognition—a testament to the leadership of CM Vishnu Deo Sai and the spirit of Swachhata Didis.
