The Biggest Stain On Our Nation: Cleanliness And India's Last 10 Per Cent Problem

Cleanliness and beauty are not merely superficial concerns. They’re fundamental to societal well-being.

Cleanliness is not only a necessity but a catalyst for positive change. Improving public cleanliness reduces healthcare costs, while enhanced tourism and global perception attract investments and boost economic growth. Moreover, prioritizing cleanliness aligns with environmental conservation efforts, promoting sustainability and responsible development. A clean and aesthetically pleasing environment fosters a sense of pride and belonging among citizens, creating a positive and harmonious atmosphere.

This is what India is missing.

Our country isn’t broken. We’re not dirty people. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Indians have a long-lasting culture of cleanliness within our personal spaces going back thousands of years. What we fail to realise is that our country as a whole is OUR space.

Think about it. Most Indians would never invite a guest to their house without cleaning it first. Is India not OUR home? If we’re not the ones who’ll take the initiative? We don’t seriously expect our guests to come home and clean it for us, right?

It’s not just in our cities either. This issue exists everywhere from our remote towns to our national parks and even our sacred sites.

Why is India Dirty?

The roots of India's cleanliness challenge are deeply embedded in a complex interweaving of social, cultural, and infrastructural factors. Addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach that goes beyond just awareness campaigns.

While campaigns like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan have made commendable strides in promoting cleanliness, sustained change requires a deeper understanding and a collective effort from each and every one of us.

It’s not just because of poverty.

There are countless areas around the world that suffer from widespread poverty yet still maintain cleanliness. For example, we can look at Rwanda’s community-based system of umuganda (a monthly day of cleaning) and nationwide plastic bag bans which cleaned up its capital city Kigali in a short period of time despite it’s situation just a couple decades ago.

As a country, it’s time we stop making excuses or hiding from the truth. Though we’re making massive leaps in most areas of life and building our name on the global stage, we’re still falling behind the rest of the world in this aspect. This is a stain on our reputation as a nation.

A recent example of this was on display at the inauguration of the new terminal building in Pune International Airport. During this event, the area outside the airport had large numbers of food and beverage packets scattered everywhere. We need to rebuild our pride and we have to change our mindset. 

A clean India benefits us all in the end.

If we want India to be respected, we have to make this one of our priorities. Cleanliness is not just about garbage on the roadside; it's about the subpar standards that we as Indians have become accustomed to. It bleeds into our everyday lives. We see it in our fitness, in our infrastructure, in our legal system, and even in our art nowadays. Everything is just about good enough to function. However, poor quality always bites back in the end. 

The difference between something being deemed world-class and just average is usually nothing major; it’s in the details. The difference between Virat Kohli and an average professional cricket player is exactly that.

We must acknowledge that it is not solely the government's responsibility. Blaming the government for everything hinders progress.

In addressing these issues, we draw insights from the Broken Window Theory, which highlights the connection between visible disorder and increased crime.

Applied to cleanliness, a well-maintained environment signals order, discouraging anti-social behaviour. Neglect and dirt, on the other hand, may inadvertently encourage degenerative activities. The prevalent issue of littering, inadequate waste management, and poorly maintained public spaces contributes to an environment that may inadvertently encourage unlawful activities of all types.

A major bottleneck when it comes to our cleanliness is our waste management. We already have a culture of reducing, reusing, and recycling in our households but we must extend that to beyond our personal dwellings.

Our major cities are growing at a historic pace. Not only are our current waste management practices inefficient, but they're also insufficient. Stacking up trash in landfills and dumping it in rivers is just sweeping the issue under the rug. Since there is obviously a very marginal benefit to anybody through these current methods, it's not a point of focus for the public. However, I believe that this can change throughout the nation. In pockets, we’ve proven that we’re able to come together and do this. We can take notes from projects in cities like Indore and create a nationwide culture of waste segregation which can actually create jobs and fund itself through recycling materials. 

Indore's transformation from being labelled as one of India's most unclean cities to securing the top position as India’s cleanest city showcases a narrative of hope and exemplifies a scalable solution for urban cleanliness and waste management across the nation.

This transformative journey was fueled by an all-encompassing waste management strategy, incorporating door-to-door collection of garbage, meticulous segregation of waste into wet and dry categories, and the innovative conversion of waste into compost and energy.

The local governance didn't just stop there; they launched widespread public awareness initiatives to instill the value of cleanliness and the importance of waste segregation among the people. Furthermore, Indore's approach was characterized by the imposition of penalties for littering and illegal dumping, coupled with the strategic use of technology to streamline waste management processes.

This inspiring turnaround of Indore underlines the vital role of community participation, effective governance, and sustainable methodologies in overcoming the challenges of urban cleanliness and waste management.

By emulating Indore's strategies, other cities have the opportunity to not only elevate their cleanliness standards but also to improve the living conditions of their inhabitants, generate job opportunities within the waste management sector, and mitigate environmental contamination.

Indore's transformation from a city overwhelmed by dirt to becoming the cleanest in India is a testament to the dramatic change that is attainable when there is a unified resolve to pursue it. This case serves as a motivational blueprint for cities throughout India, urging them to innovate and implement efficient waste management systems, contributing to the overarching goal of a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable country.

Attention to detail is a critical aspect often overlooked in the broader discussion about cleanliness in India. The last 10 per cent problem, can be observed in everything from unfinished construction projects to the fine finishes in your home.

It's evident in the exposed wires, intrusive billboards, lack of paint, and persistent stains that destroy our public spaces. Even in the context of national parks and sacred sites, the lack of better forward planning for construction leaves these areas vulnerable to degradation. This negligence not only detracts from the overall cleanliness but also perpetuates the 'broken window' phenomenon, where signs of disorder fuel further neglect and vandalism, slowly seeping into our identity and our overall attitudes towards life.

Our country is suffering because of this. 

It's important for us to recognise that the cleanliness and beauty of our surroundings are intricately linked to the meticulous execution of projects, with careful consideration for the details. By addressing the last 10 per cent problem and embracing a culture of thoroughness, we can elevate the overall quality of our public spaces, contributing to a cleaner and aesthetically pleasing environment for all citizens.

Imagine the impact if each one of us took the initiative to clean up our immediate surroundings. This isn't about waiting for someone else to do it—it's about recognizing that we, as individuals, are an integral part of the solution.

YOU can start by doing something small in your own community then share your efforts on social media platforms, encouraging your friends and followers to join in. The power of social influence is immense, and when others see your commitment to cleanliness, they're more likely to follow suit.

Jai Hind!