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Sakshi Tanwar, Drishti Dhami, Deepika Singh, Jennifer Winget and Rashmi Desai, the leading actresses of Indian television were recently seen on a common platform. No it was not a award ceremony. They all have been roped in the Swachh Sarvekshan media campaign launched by the Ministry of Urban Development. The campaign video being aired on different TV channels in Hindi and English has these actresses talk about the upcoming survey and the areas of evaluation, inspiring the citizens to participate in Swachh Sarvekshan 2017 (SS-2017). SS-2017 will study the progress of Swachh Bharat Mission, the nation-wide cleanliness movement.

The survey will ask basic questions such as can you spot a dustbin in your city? Do you separate dry and wet waste? Does your municipality collect the waste differently? Do you see people defecate in the open? These are bound to make citizens realise that cleanliness is not restricted to one's home and it requires collective effort on the part of the citizens to ensure the health and hygiene of the nation.

When asked about their experience and views on the cleanliness campaign, the actresses were of the view that citizens should start spreading awareness and do their bit by taking small steps such as not spitting in public places, politely asking people to not litter the streets and participating in the surveys and programmes that the Government organises.

"Cleanliness can be achieved by taking small steps. We all have ideas of doing this and doing that but execution is where we lag. I think this Swachh Sarvekshan enforces execution of those small steps. Our country is like our home. If we do not litter our homes then why should we litter the streets of our nation? It was truly an honour to be a part of the Swachh Sarvekshan campaign and I request my fellow citizens to participate in the survey keep their surroundings clean," says Jennifer Winget of Saraswatichandra fame.

Drishi Dhami, known as an actor with classic face and contemporary attitude, says, "I am known for my obsessive compulsive disorder at home and it makes me very happy to be a part of this campaign." Strongly believing in keeping the surroundings clean, she avers that she will definitely spread awareness and ensure people around her take up the habit of cleanliness seriously and support the upcoming survey.

Starting from January 4, SS-2017 will cover 500 cities and rank them on the basis of their cleanliness. The survey involves three streams of data collection: interaction with municipal body, direct observation and citizen feedback. Areas of evaluation will include various aspects like availability of public and private toilets, separation and collection of garbage, utilisation and conversion of waste and most importantly, citizen feedback. The feedback process will require voluntary participation of the citizens. The Campaign provides a toll free number, calling on which, the citizens will answer a few questions and give their opinions. The campaign aims to spread awareness about the habits of cleanliness and hygiene.

Noted filmmaker Umesh Aggarwal who developed and executed the concept feels the SS-2017 will set momentum to push nation-wide cleanliness campaign further. He feels using TV actors who are extremely popular will help reach out to more people, inspiring them to participate in the survey. The Ministry of Urban Development felicitated these actors during the launch of the campaign in Delhi recently.