Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani today asked National Bal Bhawan authorities to rope in children to create awareness about the ‘Swachh Bharat’ initiave at the local level through art and cultural programmes and celebrate cleanliness as a festival.
“I have requested Bal Bhawan authorities if they can celebrate cleanliness as a festival and in every district, Bal Bhawan teams can spread this message through art and inspire our children,” Irani said at an event where ‘Bal Shree Awards- 2013’ were conferred on children for excellence in fields of performing arts, visual arts, creative writing and scientific innovation among others.
Later, the Minister told reporters since Bal Bhawan has centres in every district, she hoped the message of ‘Swachch Bharat’ initiative could be spread across the country through them.
The HRD Ministry is working with the Urban Development Ministry to carry forward the ‘Swachh Bharat’ campaign. Recently, UGC and CBSE had asked institutions to administer a cleanliness pledge to students and make them an active stakeholders in making India clean.
Noting some differently-abled children were among the awardees, Irani suggested a conference of teachers should be held to discuss how the talent of “children with special needs” can be developed.