President Murmu confers 10th Swachh Surveskhan awards

President Droupadi Murmu has said that the goal of cleanliness cannot be achieved through the efforts of any single institution alone, and the participation of every citizen, every household, every community and every city is essential. Speaking after presenting Swachh Survekshan Awards 2025-26 in New Delhi on Wednesday evening, the President said, cleanliness is not merely a matter of maintaining the appearance of public spaces but it reflects health of citizens, social sensitivity and administrative accountability. She said, it is also closely connected with the everyday household habits of people. 
The President expressed happiness that the Swachh Shehar Jodi initiative has added a new dimension of cooperation to this year’s swachh survekshan. She said, if cities that are leading in cleanliness help other cities reach their standards, the achievements will become truly meaningful. President Murmu said, with the support of CSIR, the Swachh Bharat Test Bed and Innovation Centre has been established in West Bengal to promote technological training and innovation in the field of sanitation. She said, this is an important institutional initiative. She also stressed to develop technologies in the field of sanitation that are effective, affordable and safe. 
The President said, these technologies should also be suited to the requirements of smaller cities. She said, over the past decade, the Swachhata Abhiyan has laid a strong foundation for public awareness, people’s participation and healthy competition across the country. President Murmu hoped that, with everyone’s participation, the next round of Swachh Survekshan will transform the achievements of the past decade into scientifically validated outcomes. 
In his address, Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal said, cleanliness is not merely a campaign but it is an integral part of Indian culture and values. He said, with the beginning of Swachh Bharat Mission in 2014, cleanliness has become a mass celebration.  This time Ahmedabad has secured Rank 1 as Mentor City, with Sanand as its Mentee City under the Swachh Shehar Jodi initiative.