Modi invites sand artist Sudarsan to join "Swachh Bharat" Movement

Bhubaneswar, Sep 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited internationally acclaimed sand artist from Puri Sudarsan Pattnaik to dedicate some time for "Swachhata Hi Seva" movement. In a letter to Sudarsan, the Prime Minister appreciated his unique art form through which he had earned accolades for India. A delighted Sudarsan said, it was his pleasure to work on Swachh Bharat Campaign. “I always try to spread awareness through my sand art and activities”, he said. The sand artist has constructed two numbers of toilets for two fisherman family at Penthkata, Puri to prevent open defecation. Sudarsan, who was honoured as Bharat Gourab award with Rs 25,000 cash prize, had declared to spend the award money for construction of two toilets under Swachh Bharat Mission. Dedicating these two toilets to "Swachhata Hi seva" mission yesterday, he said this is one step towards cleanliness. The students of his Sand Art Institute also joined hands to construct the toilet and Sudarsan, who is also State brand ambassador of Swachh Bharat Mission, painted it. So far, Padma Shri awardee sand artist Sudarsan has participated in more than fifty International sand art championships and festivals around the world and won many prizes for the country. UNI