Cricket icon and Rajya Sabha MP Sachin Tendulkar on Wednesday visited his adopted village of Puttamraju Kandriga in Andhra's Nellore district.
Tendulkar inaugurated a newly-built community hall, and also visited the houses of local residents and interacted with them.
Taking to Twitter, he wrote, "Completely stumped by the love of people from Puttamraju Kandriga. Glad to announce that they are now open defecation free."
Tendulkar had adopted the village exactly two years ago, in 2014, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana.
During his earlier visit, plans were discussed to build various facilities, and implement the Swachh Bharat scheme completely.
Before he adopted it, the village had no roads and no electricity. Drinking water was also scarce.
According to reports, concrete roads with tiled pavements, an underground sewage network with a treatment plant, storm-water drains, 24-hour water and power supply, a playground and a community hall have been built since.
Sachin spent Rs 2.79 crore from his MP Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) funds, while the government sanctioned an additional Rs 3 crore.
"I am satisfied with the complete transformation of the village," the batting legend said.
The former India captain distributed cricket kits among the village youth and interacted with a few families about the development of the village.
He stressed the need for united efforts by all to make the central government's 'Swachh Bharat' initiative a success.
Sachin also assured all assistance to the authorities' plan to build a stadium here. He said the facility should be used not just for cricket but to promote other sports as well.
He also promised to provide Rs.90 lakh under the MPLADS for development of Gollapally village in the same district.
Completely stumped by the love of people from Puttamraju Kandriga! Glad to announce that they are now Open Defecation Free! @swachhbharat pic.twitter.com/iPwo6Pqt4Y
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) November 16, 2016
It has been two years since Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana was launched by @PMOIndia Shri @narendramodi, focusing on development in villages. pic.twitter.com/NB6Np39lXT
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) November 16, 2016
The Yojana launched by @PMOIndia aims at holistic development of villages & creating an Adarsh village with motivated people. pic.twitter.com/q0OF1ekfN2
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) November 16, 2016
Proud to state our adopted village Puttamraju Kandriga is open defecation free #SwachhBharat The phase 1 work of SAGY is complete! @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/zAXK8ernUK
— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) November 16, 2016
IANS inputs
Sachin spent Rs 2.79 crore from his MP Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) funds, while the government sanctioned an additional Rs 3 crore.