Cleanliness! Whose job is it anyway?

Cleanliness! Whose job is it anyway?

Mussoorie, March 22

Cleanliness in our country is an issue which is connected with a class order who are to take care of our litter and other waste. Interestingly there is no such “class” in Europe and other foreign countries known for Cleanliness and orderliness. These countries have responsible citizens who are trained and educated for upkeep of their self and their neighbourhood. There is a Geometric progression of their habits which makes their cities and towns clean.

In our country we feel that we have the right to create litter and cleanliness is some one else’s responsibility. Our children are rarely taught and trained for their role in waste management and sanitation. The attitude of the teacher and the taught is to only focus on subjects for scoring in Exams. There is nothing like “lateral” thinking which stimulates the minds to look outside the window and for easy solutions for the  upkeep of self and the environment.

The ‘Swach Bharat Mission’ is one step for keeping the urban and rural landscape free of litter and waste. It teaches strategies to officials for managing their towns and gram panchayats. However, There is no “reach out” programme which is curriculum based for school going children who under perfect guidance will grow as responsible citizens conscious of their “duties”in contrast to their “rights.” A qualitative change needs to be inculcated in young minds so that they do not look up for any class to clean up their muck.

The Prime Minister of India has cleanliness very close to heart. He wants to break the class order which is in vogue for centuries. With the changing consuming habits  the nature of our waste has changed. One group of people simply cannot manage the overwhelming litter and waste. We have to follow countries like Malaysia, Singapore and Japan and other such countries where Cleanliness is the job of the entire community and not a class or order. We can do it through firm resolve and proper training.

(Vipin Kumar is an eminent environmentalist.)