Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday released Rs 150 commemorative coins to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary. While addressing a gathering in Ahmedabad, PM Modi said that India has declared itself Open Defecation Free (ODF), a target India had set in 2014.

Before his address at the Sabarmati riverfront, PM Modi visited the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad and interacted with children and the volunteers.

In his message in the visitor's book at Sabarmati Ashram, PM Modi said that he is satisfied that India has fulfilled the dream of Swachh Bharat when "India has successfully stopped open defecation".

"I am satisfied that on the occasion of Gandhi at 150, we are witnessing the fulfilment of his dream of 'Swachh Bharat'. I feel lucky that on this occasion when India has successfully stopped open defecation, I'm here at the ashram," PM Modi wrote in the visitors' book.

In his address at the Sabarmati river front, PM Modi said, "Today, rural India and its villages have declared themselves ODF. The power and source of success of the ongoing 'Swachhta Abhiyan' [cleanliness drive] is being run based on self-motivation and with public participation."

When Narendra Modi had launched the Swachh Bharat (clean India) campaign after becoming prime minister in 2014, he had announced October 2, 2019 as the day India will be open defecation-free (ODF), citing how Gandhi laid immense stress on cleanliness and wanted the countrymen to pursue it.

At the event, which was attended by around 20,000 village heads including 10,000 from Gujarat, PM Modi also said that the feat has, achieved in 60 months since 2014, has amazed the world.

"The whole world is surprised by our achievement and appreciating and awarding us for providing toilets to over 60 crore people in 60 months by building over 11 crore toilets. The world is amazed by this feat," PM Modi said.

PM Modi also said that more than the accolades from around the world, the prime minister said, he derives more satisfaction from the fact that the cleanliness mission is giving dignity to women and saving lives of lakhs of children.

While launching the commemorative coins on the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, PM Modi said, "A few days ago the United Nations (UN) released a postal stamp to make this occasion memorable, now commemorative stamps and coins have also been released here."

"The whole world is celebrating Bapu's birth anniversary," PM Modi said.

PM Modi said sanitation, conservation of environment and animals were dear to Mahatma Gandhi.

"The country's stature is on the rise on the world stage," the prime minister said, adding that a glimpse of how the world respects India was seen at the 'Howdy, Modi!' event in Houston, United States.

He said, "Respect for India is increasing all over. One can experience the change. The strength and the value of Indian passport have increased. The world sees those holding Indian passport with respect."

(With agency inputs)