Cleanliness and hygiene remain the focal point during Modi Book launch by Bipin Sharma

Chancellor and President of Confederation of Indian Universities Dr. Priya Ranjan Trivedi’s book titled “Narendra Modi: The Man India Needs” was released by the Hon’ble Governor of Goa, Smt. Mridula Sinha on 25 November, 2014, at the India International Centre, New Delhi. While releasing the book, Smt. Sinha enumerated the highlights of the book, and spoke of Modi’s noteworthy initiatives in the last 5-6 months of his assuming the PM office. There was a brief book reading session by her too following which she eloquently spoke about the PM’s landmark “Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan”. She lauded the efforts and accomplishments of Dr. Trivedi’s pet project “Cleanliness, Hygiene And Sanitation Education” (CHASE). To drive her point across, she recited poetry, and narrated a brief backgrounder of what led PM Modi to nominating her as the Ambassador of Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan.

The other guest of honours were the Ambassador of Denmark H.E. Freddy Svane, High Commissioner of Pakistan H.E. Abdul Basit, and the Ambassador of the Czech Republic HE. Miloslav Stasek.

These dignitaries too congratulated Dr Trivedi for his diligent efforts in bringing about a unique book on PM Modi which not only innovatively presented the different facts and stats of Modi’s life, but also comprised myriads of practical suggestions to the present government of the Day.

The important dignitaries and the Governor of Goa articulated the significance of cleanliness, and how every citizen needed to play a role in ensuring the realization of Modi’s ambitious dream.

Following the discussion on CHASE Project and its far-fetched ramifications, an important announcement was made by Dr. Trivedi about the concept of the establishment of Goa Reconstruction Agency for Development and Empowerment (GRADE).

Another big highlight of the event was the felicitation of country’s noted healthcare expert Dr. Sushanta Basu by Smt Mridula Sinha. He was conferred the coveted International Association of Educators for World Peace (IAEWP) Award-2014 for his outstanding contribution as the Chief Administrative Medical Officer, Central Zone (Health Department) in the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC). An alumnus of the prestigious Maulana Azad Medical College, Dr. Basu joined Municipal Corporation of Delhi in April 1979. After working in the rural areas of Delhi for about 14 yrs, he became the Additional Director in the Health Administration in the undivided Corporation.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Trivedi said, “It is a pleasure to see the most deserving candidate being conferred the IAEWP Award this year in the field of healthcare services. Dr. Basu’s incredible role and contribution in the field of healthcare services has been in sync with the ambitious mission of PM Modi’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan. This is precisely why he was chosen to be honoured by none other than the Hon’ble Governor of Goa who was amongst the first few persons to be chosen as the Ambassadors of Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan by PM Modi. Dr Basu’s contribution in various National Health Programs is well known as he has been a part of implementation in Universal Immunization Program of UNICEF during 1984-86, besides, having contributed in the Pulse Polio Immunization Program between 1997-2003 as member of the core committee for implementation. He has also worked in various other National Health Programs- viz. Special Immunization Program, Matri-suraksha Abhiyan, Motiabind Mukti Abhiyan, Cancer Control Program and Shravan Shakti Abhiyan. etc. As the Additional DHA, Dr Basu formulated clear guidelines towards a transparent purchase policy that was lacking in Corporation and stringent Quality Control of medicines. The credit for successfully introducing E-tendering for the first time in Health Dept. of MCD also goes to him. He has been instrumental in introducing Municipal Pensioners’ Medical Benefit Policy, and as the Resident Medical Superintendent has been able to bring about an overall improvement by starting Laboratory Facility, improving X-Ray Facility, ECG facility and services of competent specialists. Plaudits to him for having devoted over 35 years of unblemished service to his organization with exemplary devotion and unimpeachable integrity.”

Eminent naturopath expert and Vice Chancellor of Indira Gandhi Technological and Medical Sciences University Dr. S.N Pandey remarked, “What sets visionaries and great leaders like PM Narendra Modi and Dr. PR Trivedi apart from others is that they lead by example. The dynamic new PM of the country is giving top most priority to the issue of cleanliness and sanitation, and has been relentlessly involved in incredible developmental works for last many years. History was re-written when on the auspicious occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday on 2^nd October, 2014, Modi set an unprecedented benchmark by walking the talk by becoming the first PM to wield the broom. Going back in time, about twenty years ago, the world renowned environmentalist scientist and institution builder Dr. Priya Ranjan Trivedi launched the Clean Delhi Campaign as a part of his Clean up The Earth (CUTE) campaign on 2^nd October, 1994, and inspired countless of distinguished personalities to wield the broom for cleaning their city. As the President of Confederation of Indian Universities, Dr. Trivedi takes immense pride in lauding the novel initiative undertaken by PM Modi for improving the sanitation conditions in the country. I am optimistic that the CHASE Project initiated by Dr. Trivedi will play a pivotal role in making the city and the country a beautiful place to live in.”

The vote of thanks was proposed by the Chairman of RTI Institute of India Manish Shekhar who expressed confidence that the book on PM Modi would inspire countless young men and women for giving their best to their nation.