Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed on cleanliness and sanitation during his maiden Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort in 2014. It surprised many as he chose an unlikely topic on an occasion that his predecessors had used to announce big development plans. He announced the launch of “Clean India” (Swatch Bharat) campaign from October 2 starting that year, reasoning that Mahatma Gandhi, whose birthday falls on the same day, had cleanliness and sanitation close to his heart. He declared that the campaign would continue for four years as a tribute to the Father of the nation on his 150th birth anniversary in 2019. This was how Swatch Bharat Day came into existence. Whether or not the mission is successful, both the central and state governments have been carrying it forward, using the occasion to clean the streets and open places with the help of the public.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio too called for a four-day mass social work this year, from September 29 to October 2, requesting the people of the state to take part in the campaign to restore the damage caused by the recent monsoon rains and landslides. People from all walks of life – government officials, laymen and students – from across the state took part in the cleanliness drive. The CM, who joined the public in cleaning the PHQ junction in Kohima, has expressed satisfaction over the participation of the people in the campaign. But some not only kept a distance from the campaign like a plague but also found a way to criticise -- linking it to politics and dubbing it as government’s duty -- though cleaning a dirty public place brings no harm and should be encouraged by all. The government should provide basic amenities but what if the public spit pan and throw waste everywhere?
Japanese, who are known for their cleanliness, start learning how to keep their surroundings clean from an early age, including cleaning classrooms and bathrooms at schools. Footballs fans from the country hit the headlines every time their national team play as they usually stay back after the match to pick up trash in the stands. For them, it’s a habit and culture. People of Nagaland too need to inculcate such civic sense -- that it’s not right to litter government offices, hospitals, and public places with wastes. But the state is currently ranked in the bottom three, only behind Puducherry and Tripura from among the 29 states and two union territories, in a survey conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to find out cleanliness and implementation of Swachhata mission in the country. This clearly tells that the state needs a lot of cleaning to do -- not just four days but 365 days a year.
