MUMBAI: Feb 24, 2020: Bihar’s Marwari Yuva Manch, under the ‘My Clean India Contest’, has become the latest recipient of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah’s (TMKOC) Swachchata Sainani Award. Based out of Khagaria, the self-help youth organisation is a leading proponent of social initiatives across the State, especially in driving the Clean India Movement. The award is part of TMKOC’s nationwide ‘My Clean India’ campaign which was flagged off by Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on October 2, 2014.

 “The Marwari Yuva Manch through its wide network of 60 branches and over 3000 members carried out several campaigns to aid societal issues. Over the years, the organisation has conducted on ground activities on cleanliness, ambulance services, providing oxygen, blood donation, de-addiction and cancer awareness, among others. So when we received their nomination through the tmkocmycleanindia portal, we learnt about the amount of work the organisation has accomplished and are glad that we have the honour of felicitating them for their outstanding contribution towards the society,” says Palak Sidhwani who plays the role of Sonu in the show.

 Back in 2014, with the aim to involve citizens in the cleanliness campaign, the Honourable Prime Minister designated the entire team of Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah as ambassadors to the Swachch Bharat campaign. The show and its entire team including the cast has been dedicated to raising awareness about the campaign and the Swachch Sainani Awards was the brainchild of Shri Asit Modi – the show’s creator.

 “Since 2014, Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah has doubled its efforts to promote the campaign and to make cleanliness one of the pivotal agendas to raise awareness about, through the show. We then extended this initiative, through the Swachchata Sainani Awards to inspire and recognise others who go above and beyond to do their bit for creating a cleaner India. Recently, we published a coffee table book which was launched by the Hon’ Prime Minister himself, that encapsulates all such accomplishments under the initiative and also recognises all the winners of the Swachchata Sainani Awards,” says Raj Anadkat who plays the role of Tapu.

 Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah is a creation of India’s premium television production house – Neela Film Productions Pvt Ltd. Into its 12^th year; the iconic show and its characters have become a household name. The comedy show is known not only for making its audiences laugh but also for promoting social values and inducing ideals that work towards nation building.

Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah made its first appearance on 28^th July 2008 and has telecast over 2900 episodes making it the longest running family comedy show in the world. In India, the show is aired on SAB TV, Sony Pictures Network India.