Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB), Government of India — Ministry of Law and Justice PIB Delhi Read the original release on pib.gov.in
Under Special Campaign 6 and Swachhta Hi Seva (SHS) 2026, Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice organized a tree plantation drive under the theme “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” at the India International Arbitration Center (IIAC), Vasant Kunj, New Delhi on the eve of Gandhi Jayanti on 01-October-2026.
The tree plantation campaign was led by Honorable Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Central Law and Justice Department (Independent Charge). The program was attended by Dr. Rajeev Mani, Secretary, Legislative Department and Department of Legal Affairs and Chairman, IIAC along with senior officers/employees of the Department and IIAC. Honorable Minister, Law Secretary and Chairman of IIAC and senior officials of the Department and IIAC planted trees in the IIAC premises.
Recalling Mahatma Gandhi's Champaran experience, Minister Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal said, “True cleanliness begins from the mind.”
Addressing the gathering, Hon'ble Minister Shri Meghwal said that cleanliness is not limited to just keeping roads and public places clean; It should start with a clean mind, pure thoughts and a sense of duty towards the society.
He further said that cleanliness is service is a mass movement, in which every person has a role. He said October 2, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, reminds the nation that cleanliness, discipline and service were integral parts of Bapu's vision of an independent and self-reliant India.
Recalling Mahatma Gandhi's visit to Champaran in 1917, Hon'ble Minister Shri Meghwal threw special light on how Gandhiji had initiated efforts for cleanliness and sanitation, which later became part of a broader mass movement and contributed in solving the problems of indigo farmers.
Union Minister Shri Meghwal said that this message received from Champaran is relevant even today: cleanliness is not just a campaign, but a mission of sensitivity and shared responsibility.
Shri Meghwal expressed confidence that with the collective efforts of all stakeholders, IIAC will develop into an efficient and reliable arbitration centre globally. He said that transparency, discipline and service in this centre should reflect the same values that are seen in the ‘Swachhata Hi Seva’ campaign.
Dr. Rajiv Mani, Secretary, Legislative Department and Legal Affairs Department and President, IIAC, said that cleanliness has two dimensions—cleanliness of the environment around us and cleanliness of the mind—and one is incomplete without the other. Appreciating the efforts of IIAC, he said that it is the responsibility of the institutions to adopt sustainable practices and contribute meaningfully to the objectives of Swachh Bharat Mission. He assured that IIAC is committed to establish itself as a global, efficient and credible institution, contributing to making India a preferred destination for international arbitration.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IIAC, Shri Naveen Kumar Singh expressed his gratitude to the Honorable Minister, Secretary and other dignitaries for participating in the program. He reiterated IIAC's commitment towards environmental responsibility and sustainable practices.
The event concluded with a pledge to continue the cleanliness campaigns and promote a greener and sustainable environment.
This is the official press release issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), and is published without changes.
