Swachh Bharat
Technical Data
| Date of Issue | October 2, 2016 |
|---|---|
| Denomination | Rs. 30 |
| Quantity | 100,000 |
| Perforation | 13¾ x 13¼ |
| Printer | Security Printing Press, Hyderabad |
| Printing Process | Wet Offset |
| Watermark | No Watermark |
| Colors | Multicolor |
| Credit (Designed By) | Smt. Alka Sharma |
| Catalog Codes |
Michel IN BL146 Yvert et Tellier IN BF133 Stanley Gibbons IN MS3179 |
| Themes | Children | Environment Protection | Flowers | Globes | Plants | Stylized | Sunsets / Sunrises |
A National Movement Towards a Clean and Healthy India
The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) emerged from a transformative vision laid out by the Government of India. In his address to the Joint Session of Parliament on 9 June 2014, the President of India articulated the urgency of ensuring hygiene, sanitation, and waste management across the nation. He declared that “We must not tolerate the indignity of homes without toilets and public spaces littered with garbage.” To realize this vision, a nationwide Swachh Bharat Mission was announced—conceived as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on the occasion of his 150th birth anniversary in 2019.
The Mission is implemented in urban areas by the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) and in rural areas by the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (MoDWS), making it the largest ever sanitation initiative undertaken in the country.
A Historic Beginning
On 2 October 2014, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Swachh Bharat Mission at Rajpath, New Delhi, marking the beginning of a nationwide movement. Addressing the nation, he remarked:
“A clean India would be the best tribute India could pay to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary in 2019.”
With this call, the Mission rapidly evolved into a Jan Andolan, a people-driven campaign that touched every segment of society. Citizens, schoolchildren, government officials, celebrities, defence forces, corporate organizations, NGOs, and local communities came together to take forward the message of sanitation and cleanliness.
A Participatory National Movement
What began as a government programme soon grew into one of the most successful mass movements in independent India. Across the country, citizens embraced the responsibility of keeping their surroundings clean. Cleanliness drives, public awareness activities, street plays, music campaigns, and local-level mobilizations became a part of daily civic life.
The digital initiative #MyCleanIndia further amplified citizen participation by showcasing cleanliness efforts undertaken by individuals and communities. From sweeping neighbourhood streets to organizing waste-segregation campaigns, millions contributed to the strengthening of the movement.
Mission Components and Impact
The Swachh Bharat Mission has two broad components:
Urban SBM
The urban component focuses on:
- Construction of individual household toilets
- Construction of community and public toilets
- Scientific and sustainable solid waste management
These measures aim to create cleaner cities, improve public health outcomes, and instil better waste-handling practices.
Rural SBM
In rural India, the emphasis is on:
- Behavioural change through interpersonal communication
- Strengthening implementation systems at the Gram Panchayat level
- Providing States with the flexibility to design culturally sensitive sanitation strategies
This approach has been instrumental in encouraging communities to adopt safe sanitation practices and maintain open-defecation-free environments.
Nation-wide Stamp Design Competition
To commemorate this transformational national movement, the Department of Posts organized a nationwide competition inviting citizens to design the commemorative postage stamp, miniature sheet, First Day Cover, and information brochure on the theme “Swachh Bharat”. The remarkable public participation in this competition echoed the spirit of the Mission itself.
The final stamp and miniature sheet designs are based on the three best entries received, created by:
- Ms. Binita Biswajeeta
- Ms. Sanjula S.
- Ms. Arushi Aggarwal
Their artworks beautifully capture the essence of the national movement—cleanliness, responsibility, and collective action.
A Tribute to Mahatma Gandhi
The Swachh Bharat Mission stands as one of the most meaningful tributes to the Father of the Nation. Mahatma Gandhi firmly believed that cleanliness is not just physical but a reflection of the purity of mind and society. His lifelong advocacy for hygiene, sanitation, and dignity for all formed the philosophical foundation of the initiative.
By inspiring millions to take action, the Mission has brought Gandhiji’s vision closer to reality and transformed the way cleanliness is perceived in modern India.
First Day Cover
