Speaking at his monthly Mann Ki Baat address to the nation, Modi said: "This year, on the 2 October, when we celebrate Bapu’s 150th birth anniversary, we shall not only dedicate to him an India that is open defecation-free, but also shall lay the foundation of a new revolution against plastic."

He added, "I urge all municipalities, municipal corporations, district administration, gram panchayats, government, and non-governmental bodies and organisations – in fact, each and every citizen – to work towards ensuring adequate arrangement for collection and storage of plastic waste. I also appeal to the corporate sector to come out with ways and means proactively for appropriate disposal of all accumulated plastic. It can be recycled; it can be transformed into fuel. This way we can accomplish our task of ensuring safe disposal of plastic waste before  Diwali."

This year, the Diwali festival is from 25 to 28 October.

PrintWeek India readers will recall, that in his Independence Day’s address from the Red Fort, PM Modi had urged citizens to eliminate 'single-use' plastic and suggested that shopkeepers provide eco-friendly bags to customers.