Daijiworld Media Network - Ahmedabad (SHP)

Ahmedabad, Oct 3: On the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatama Gandhi, PM Modi released commemorative stamps and coins during the 'Swachh Bharat Diwas' programme.

On the occasion, PM Modi also declared India to be an ODF (open defecation free) country. "I am satisfied that on the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Gandhi, we are witnessing the fulfilment of his dream of 'Swachh Bharat'. I feel lucky that on this occasion, when India has successfully stopped open defecation, I am here at the ashram," read the Prime Minister's message in the visitor's book at Sabarmati Ashram.

PM Modi announced that most of rural India has declared themselves as ODF. Intending to conserve the environment, Modi pledged to ban 'single-use plastic' by 2022.

PM Modi stated that the aim was to follow what Mahatma Gandhi believed in and one of the things was conservation of the environment.

Earlier, the UN had also released a postal stamp to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi.