NEW DELHI: Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has expressed his gratitude to the prime minister Narendra Modi for acknowledging his contribution towards the 'Swachhta' mission by giving a new slogan: 'Swachchh Tann, Swachchh Mann, Swachchh Bharat, Mera Parichay.'

Speaking in his ‘Mann ki Baat’ broadcast on 27 November 2016, Modi recalled that the day coincided with the birth anniversary of Harivansh Rai Bachchan whose son Amitabh had given a special slogan on the day to mark the campaign.

In a tweet, Big B said: “My most gracious and respectful thanks to the Honourable Prime Minister Mananiya Shri Narendra Modi ji for acknowledging my small contribution!”

In his address, Modi had said: “You must have noticed that Amitabhji, the most popular actor of this century, has been wholeheartedly promoting the campaign for cleanliness. It appears as if the subject of cleanliness has become so dear to him that even on his father’s birth anniversary he remembered the cleanliness mission. He has quoted a line from a poem written by Harivansh Rai Bachchanji wherein he said: “Mitti Ka Tann, Masti Ka Mann, Kshan Bhar Jeewan, Mera Parichay.”

Modi added: “Harivansh Raiji used to give his introduction through this line. His son Shriman Amitabhji, who has the cleanliness mission running in his veins, has written to me “Swachchh Tann, Swachchh Mann, Swachchh Bharat, Mera Parichay.” I respectfully bow to Harivansh Raiji. I also thank Shriman Amitabhji to connect in such a warm manner with ‘Mann Ki Baat’ and for taking forward the cleanliness campaign.”