On the 10th anniversary of the Swachh Bharat Mission, World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his leadership and the Indian government's efforts in driving the initiative. He noted that the mission has made remarkable progress in achieving sustainable development goals by mobilising communities to promote a cleaner and healthier India.

Introducing himself as "Tulsi Bhai," Tedros expressed his admiration for the Swachh Bharat Mission, saying, "I am honoured to help you celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Swachh Bharat Mission. It shows how strong political commitment can drive transformative change toward Sustainable Development Goals."

He acknowledged how the Indian government has prioritised sanitation and hygiene by mobilising resources, engaging communities, and creating a movement to eliminate open defecation and foster a cleaner, healthier environment. Tedros commended the mission's focus on equity, local involvement, accountability, and sustainability, noting that it targeted rural and underserved areas, empowered local leaders, and utilised data to monitor progress.

"Initiatives like these deliver immense public health benefits, improve sanitation, and save lives by reducing diseases such as diarrhoea and malnutrition," he added. Tedros also recognised the initiative's role in advancing the long-term well-being and socio-economic development of communities across India.

He further mentioned the Ayushman Bharat health protection scheme, describing it as another example of India’s commitment to enhancing the health and well-being of its population.

Concluding his remarks, the WHO chief expressed his gratitude to India, stating, "Thank you for your leadership, and may your achievements inspire the world."

The Swachh Bharat Mission, launched in 2014 by Prime Minister Modi, aimed to make India Open Defecation Free (ODF). Earlier in the day, on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s 155th birth anniversary, PM Modi paid tribute to the leader and encouraged participation in cleanliness activities. He also shared his reflections on social media, urging citizens to contribute to the mission's continued success.

By 2019, the Swachh Bharat Mission had become the world's largest behavioural change movement, achieving the construction of over 100 million individual household toilets and declaring more than 600,000 villages ODF, honouring Gandhi’s legacy.

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