NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged citizens to avoid using single-use plastic in order to enhance the quality of the environment. The PM brought up the issue during his Independence day speech at the Red Fort.

Modi said that people should not use single-use plastics from October 2 onwards, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. He added that the shopkeepers must also act responsibly by providing eco-friendly bags to the customers. He said, "During my 2014 speech, I spoke about cleanliness. It became a movement in the country and the common man took it up with gusto. Today, I have another request. By October 2, on the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, I want to urge the citizen to give up single-use plastic. Shopkeepers should sell jute and cloth bags. Customers should adopt ways to reduce plastic usage. We must also put technologies in use to abolish plastic usage."

According to him, by starting to use indigenous, eco-friendly products, the country will be able to make the 'Make in India' policy a success. "Let us all resolve to use products made in India. Let us resolve: Local products for a lucky tomorrow. Local products for a beautiful tomorrow. Local products for a bright tomorrow," he added.