New Delhi: Regretting the continuance of manual scavenging, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday sought cooperation of the society in the resolve to get rid of this “blot” during the 125th birth anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar which is being celebrated this year.
Adding that engagement of poor persons in manual scavenging will not be tolerated, the PM in his monthly Mann Ki Baat programme said, “Does it behove us that manual scavenging is still continuing in the country? I have emphasised that we must get rid of this blot in the 125th anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar. We will not tolerate a situation where any of the poor persons has to engage in manual scavenging.”
“We need the cooperation of the society. The government will have to carry out its responsibility. I need the support of people to fulfil this endeavour,” he further added.
Mr Modi said that his government has decided to give land in Mumbai for building of a memorial for Ambedkar. The land was in dispute for several years. Similarly in Delhi, an international centre in his name would be established where intellectuals from across the world would research his works and get to know his contributions better, he said, adding that the foundation stone of this complex has been laid after two decades. “What was not done in 20 years, we have pledged to do it in 20 months,” he said.
