India will be powerful economy if Swachh Bharat Mission succeeds: President Pranab Mukherjee

NEW DELHI: President Pranab Mukherjee has said if the Swachh Bharat programme is implemented successfully, India can become a "powerful modern economy".

"If the innovative government programs like Swachh Bharat Mission and Digital India are implemented successfully, then India will definitely become a powerful modern economy," the Swachh Bharat Mission tweeted quoting the President.

The Ministry for Drinking Water and Sanitation, which is the nodal ministry for implementation of the programme, has been organising Swachh Bharat pakhwada in various government departments.

Swachh Bharat Mission was officially launched on October 2, 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with an aim to eradicate open defecation by 2019.

The programme is divided into two categories -- Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) and Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban).

In the rural areas, the scheme requires engagement with community and facilitation -- both of which are picking up slowly.