Narendra Modi has once again appealed to people to make river Ganga clean and urged citizens to take extra care while cleaning it and making it holy place once again. PM Modi ever since he assumed office in May 2014 has been emphasising on the importance of Ganga and how to keep it clean over years of neglect. Modi on Saturday described river Ganga as our "culture, heritage and identity" and urged people to contribute towards cleaning it.

"I want to thank the people of Bijnore for working towards cleaning the Ganga," Modi said while interacting with the people of the Uttar Pradesh district during the launch of the 'Swachhata Hi Seva Movement' (cleanliness is true service) as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, through the NaMo app. "And banks of river Ganga becoming open defecation free shall be an important stage towards maintaining the purity of the river," Modi said.