Mangaluru: Everyone speaks about cleanliness but forgets responsibility towards cleanliness. Cleanliness is a basic necessity, if our surroundings are clean, our mind will also be clean, said renowned actor Nana Patekar.

He was speaking after inaugurating the 200th Swacch Mangaluru cleanliness campaign organised by Ramakrishna Mission on Sunday. Patekar inaugurated the programme by filling colours to the wall-graffiti on the compound wall of University College in Hampankatta. He also flagged off and took part in a rally with students.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi started the Swacch Bharat campaign, but people are yet to learn the campaign’s significance. It is sad that the prime minister himself had to start a movement to keep the nation clean. Swacch Bharat should not be limited to a programme but be converted into a lifestyle,” he said and lauded Ramakrishna Mission for its endeavour.

“People are after money but the country can prosper only when we think about our society and the nation. When we go abroad, we follow their rules and appreciate them and their cleanliness. But when we return to India, we forget all those. One must follow the rules in out nation as well,” he said.

Ramakrishna Mutt president Swami Jitakamananda inaugurated an autorickshaw stand built opposite University College. Swacch Mangaluru campaign convener Swami Chidambarananda, Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat and MLC Capt Ganesh were present.