On the ocassion of the birth anniversary of the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today initiated the Swach Bharat campaign. While it is a welcome step, many questions and doubts remain about the campaign and its efficiency remains to be seen in the coming years. Mahatma Gandhi had understood the importance of cleanliness and sanitation during his time. Even now the importance of cleanliness and sanitation cannot be emphasized any further.
We Indians are almost always pleasantly surprised to see the extreme levels of cleanliness in foreign countries. This have been achieved in those countries mostly because of the awareness of people in keeping their surroundings neat and clean and in some cases due to punishment abetted to people who litter as in the case of Singapore. It is a shame that we cannot replicate the same in our country even after six decades of independence.
In such circumstances the step taken by the Prime Minister needs to be appreciated, whether it achieves its intended objective or not remains to be seen. The steps suggested by the PM if followed even with fifty percent efficacy can do wonders for the country. The involvement of celebrities in the movement will serve to inspire more people to join the campaign. However holding the broom should not become a photo opportunity for social media crazy people.
Many people litter all around, however the involvement of educated people in doing such things is a worry sign for the country. If the citizens themselves are not aware of the importance of cleanliness no campaign will succeed. We can all hope for the best for the PM’s Swach Bharat movement and should continue to maintain cleanliness as our civic responsibility and should all those who litter around. The enthusiasm of the movement should not decrease with time and the same enthusiasm should be maintained all through till the aim of a clean India is realized.
