Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (ANI photo)
UDUPI: What do Pradeep Sangwan from Gurugram; Haryana and Anudeep Hegde-Minusha Kanchan couple from Baindoor in Udupi have in common? Although located miles apart, the common thread linking them is their concern for the environment. It is this singular essence of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan that gave Pradeep and Anudeep-Minusha a place in the last edition of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Mann Ki Baat for 2020 on Sunday.
A 100 second mention of their efforts in the 32.20 minute long address put these selfless cleanliness warriors in the national limelight. If Pradeep’s Healing Himalaya initiative that he is running since 2016 grabbed PM Modi’s attention, the fact that the newly wed couples gave up their honeymoon period to clean up Someshwar beach in the district saw the PM narrate their effort in a cleanliness paean which he said was the essence of clean India.