Brooms before bouquets: Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari at a ‘Swachhata Se Swagat’ drive in Kolkata NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi’s visits to states are increasingly being preceded by organised cleanliness drives under the ‘Swachhata Se Swagat’ banner, giving new vigour to a campaign he has long championed.Across BJP-governed states, administrations and party units are converting the familiar pre-VVIP spruce-up into a public campaign. CMs, ministers, lawmakers, civic workers and residents are being mobilised to sweep roads, clear markets and clean ghats and other public spaces before Modi arrives – giving the political welcome a ‘Swachh Bharat’ imprint.The latest rollout is in Haryana, where CM Nayab Saini has launched a statewide drive ahead of Modi’s July 17 visit to Jind. Saini began the exercise in Panchkula by sweeping a market and planting a sapling. Ministers, MPs, MLAs and local representatives have been asked to lead similar drives across districts until the PM’s arrival.The campaign also dovetails with the purpose of Modi’s visit. He is scheduled to flag off India’s first hydrogen-powered passenger train on the Jind-Sonipat route and launch development projects, allowing the state to link the welcome with cleanliness, citizen participation and green mobility.The template gathered visibility during Modi’s June visits to Odisha and WB. Odisha organised cleanliness activities under the slogan before his June 20 programme. Kolkata followed with a six-day operation across all 144 municipal wards and 16 boroughs, involving residents and civic personnel. CM Suvendu Adhikari and other public representatives also joined the exercise at public spaces.Videos of a passenger train running between Madurai and Rameswaram recently went viral after a traveller showed its coach, washrooms and floor remaining remarkably clean even after a 170 km journey. That episode provides an instructive counterpoint to the political campaign.’Swachhata Se Swagat’ can generate attention, marshal administrative resources and place senior netas behind brooms. Its real success, however, will be measured after the cavalcade leaves – by whether the clean roads, stations and public spaces remain that way.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBageshwar Baba Dhirendra Shastri’s Brother Arrested For Firing At Farmer In Madhya Pradesh’Abhishek Has Done No Wrong’: Mamata Banerjee Defends Nephew Amid TMC Rebellion“Party Is Sinking”: Mamata’s Loyalist Crosses Over To Ritabrata Camp; TMC Crack Deepens’Serious Risk’ To India’s Largest Nuclear Plant Kudankulam After Files Leaked On Dark Web: ReportRahul Gandhi Steps In As Punjab Congress Infighting Threatens 2027 Election PreparationsExplained: Why PM Modi’s July 17 Punjab Visit Is Politically Crucial Ahead Of Assembly ElectionsHigh Profile Political Meeting Rekindle Talk Of NCP Unity In Maharashtra; Patil Denies BuzzKGMU Bars Cooking Of Non-Veg Food In Hostels After Governor Flags Issue At ConvocationIndia-UK FTA: What Gets Cheaper, How Exporters Benefit And Why The Deal MattersTMC Rift Deepens As Kalyan Banerjee Launches Fresh Attack On Abhishek And I-PAC123Photostories5 long-haired dog breeds that win hearts with their looks and personalityLooking for better health? Repeat these 10 powerful affirmations every dayWorld’s 10 most peaceful countries in 2026: Safe, scenic and travel-friendlyEye doctor reveals the 7 everyday habits they never skip to protect their vision, and why these simple daily choices matter9 Vastu Tips to Attract Love into Your LifeWhy the Adhar Pana prasad of Jagannath Rath Yatra is spilled on the floor and humans are forbidden to consume itYoung, slim, and feeling perfectly fine? Why more Indians are being diagnosed with prediabetes without any warning signsThese 5 giant pet cats are so big, people mistake them for wild animals10 baby girl names inspired by Japanese seasons and cherry blossom traditions“Send your child far away…”: Acharya Prashant says this one parenting decision can help children grow into independent adults123Hot PicksNBA Trade RumorsHow to Watch FIFA World CupMichael JordanKylian MbappeBengaluru ProfessorCarol RuckdeschelRussia Saction BillNBA tradeMinecraft Bedrock 26.40.31 BetaTop TrendingIND U19 vs SL U19Prashant KishorFIFA World Cup 2026Nitin GadkariBengaluru Student SuicideTwisha Sharma Murder CaseLeo CarlssonTaslima NasrinGujarat RapeIran war
NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi’s visits to states are increasingly being preceded by organised cleanliness drives under the ‘Swachhata Se Swagat’ banner, giving new vigour to a campaign he has long championed.Across BJP-governed states, administrations and party units are converting the familiar pre-VVIP spruce-up into a public campaign. CMs, ministers, lawmakers, civic workers and residents are being mobilised to sweep roads, clear markets and clean ghats and other public spaces before Modi arrives – giving the political welcome a ‘Swachh Bharat’ imprint.The latest rollout is in Haryana, where CM Nayab Saini has launched a statewide drive ahead of Modi’s July 17 visit to Jind. Saini began the exercise in Panchkula by sweeping a market and planting a sapling. Ministers, MPs, MLAs and local representatives have been asked to lead similar drives across districts until the PM’s arrival.The campaign also dovetails with the purpose of Modi’s visit. He is scheduled to flag off India’s first hydrogen-powered passenger train on the Jind-Sonipat route and launch development projects, allowing the state to link the welcome with cleanliness, citizen participation and green mobility.The template gathered visibility during Modi’s June visits to Odisha and WB. Odisha organised cleanliness activities under the slogan before his June 20 programme. Kolkata followed with a six-day operation across all 144 municipal wards and 16 boroughs, involving residents and civic personnel. CM Suvendu Adhikari and other public representatives also joined the exercise at public spaces.Videos of a passenger train running between Madurai and Rameswaram recently went viral after a traveller showed its coach, washrooms and floor remaining remarkably clean even after a 170 km journey. That episode provides an instructive counterpoint to the political campaign.‘Swachhata Se Swagat’ can generate attention, marshal administrative resources and place senior netas behind brooms. Its real success, however, will be measured after the cavalcade leaves – by whether the clean roads, stations and public spaces remain that way.
