New York, September 25: Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the 'Global Goalkeeper Award' for 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan', from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in New York on Tuesday. Speaking about receiving the award, Modi said, "This honour is not mine but of the crores of Indians who not only fulfilled the Swachh Bharat dream but also made it a part of their daily lives."

Talking about the number of toilets being constructed in the country, he said, "In last five years a record more than 11 crore toilets were constructed. If this mission has benefited someone the most it is the poor of this country and the women." Narendra Modi is 'Father of India', Brought India Together, Says Donald Trump (Watch Video).

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Modi further spoke about a report of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation which says that due to the betterment in the rural sanitation in India, heart problems in children have decreased, and there has been an improvement in Body Mass Index of women.

On a positive note, Narendra Modi said that India is close to achieving its sanitation target, and the country is also working steadfastly on other missions as well like through Fit India movement, which is promoting fitness and preventive healthcare.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the Swachh Bharat Mission in October 2014 as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary. The aim of the movement was to improve cleanliness through solid and liquid waste management and making villages open-defecation free.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 25, 2019 07:58 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).