Friday 12 December 2014

Banega Swachh India



'Banega Swachh India’- In Hindi it means– India will be clean.
Will be reality if for a Swachh Bharat we all work & are keen…

'Banega Swachh India' is a positive statement that fills us with hope.
To make #SwachhBharat vision & mission true, we need to cope.

Note- Swachh means ‘clean’ in Hindi

‘Cleanliness is next to godliness’.
‘Charity begins at home’.

Sanitation and Hygiene begin at home-

Perspective Matters
What is the definition of ‘home’?
The enclosed private space where we stay?
That would be too narrow a definition. 

Our country, India, is also our home, just like Planet Earth also is…
In Sanskrit it’s said- ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’- the world is family. 

If the world is our home, then India is a room where we stay.
If all rooms are cleaned, then our home will be clean too. 

We have the power to choose- Dirty India or Swachh India?


Role Of Sanitation and Hygiene in Our Life-

Area of Responsibility
We keep our bodies and homes neat and clean.
But, what about being responsible for the cleanliness of our surroundings?
Not enough to clean our homes and feel our work is over. Outside environment needs our attention too.

Unless sanitation and hygiene is maintained in our neighbouring areas, we cannot be germ-free nor have a good quality of living.
Our body will be prone to diseases when surroundings are dirty.
Seeing garbage or filth all around will impact our mind negatively too.
We will not feel good mentally and will be stressed or fearful.
A Swachh mind resides in a Swachh body.  


We dream of a Swachh India.
 “Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high”- Rabindranath Tagore
India’s first Nobel-prize winner had also said-
“Jodi tor daak shune keu na ase tobey ekla chalo re.”
(If no one comes when you call, then walk alone)

We might feel that what impact can our small acts have? But, drops of water make an ocean…
Be the change you want to see in the world” -Gandhiji.
 
The Ugly Indian shared his talk- ‘Why is India So Filthy?’ at TEDxBangalore.
 
Complaining about India being filthy is easy.
The question is- What have we done or are we doing to ensure a Swachh Bharat? 
We need to change our attitude and behaviour.

If like our ancestors in the Indus Valley Civilization & Vedic age, we too care for our homes, surroundings and for sustainable living, nature’s balance and environment will be well-maintained. 

“Jahan Daal Daal Par Sone Ki Chidiya Karti Hai Basera, Woh Bharat Desh Hai Mera”
(Where golden birds reside in branches, that country Bharat/India is mine)
-Sikandar-e-Azam Hindi Movie-Song Lyrics

How Good Hygiene and Sanitation Can Affect India-

Environment- Good hygiene and sanitation will preserve nature and the elements necessary for life like- water, air & soil.

Food- Good quality food will be produced when we have unpolluted soil, fresh vegetables, pulses and grains. When food is hygienically stored and prepared, people will not fall ill viz. in Mid-Day-Meals.

Education- Proper sanitation facilities in Schools can attract girls too. Educate a girl and educate a family.

Healthcare- Diseases will be prevented when better hygiene & sanitation standards are enforced. Lesser numbers of people will fall sick. 

Standard of Living & Facilities- A healthy population can be gainfully employed. Hunger & poverty can be countered with better living standards.

Economy- Resources like time & effort will be saved as lesser man-days will be lost in combating diseases  or doing maintenance or renovation for dirty places. As ‘time is money’ and ‘health is wealth’, economy will gain with healthy individuals and neat places. 

Tourism Industry- We may proudly claim- 'Atithi Devo Bhava' (Guest is God), but are yet to offer the best for our guests. Better sanitation & hygiene can attract tourists. India’s tourism will thrive and will have a trickle-down effect, supporting employment & widening prospects.

Example/Inspiration for all- Good sanitation & hygiene can set an example & can inspire everyone follow suit. Our actions serve as examples for our future generations, and have direct correlation with our present and their future life.


What we can do to ensure #SwachhIndia –

1.  CHANGE BAD HABITS FOR INDIA - Do not do anything to make India dirty viz. spit, litter, urinate... in public spaces.

2. If we can't find a dust-bin, carry the empty-wrappers/refuse etc, till we access a dust-bin.  
3.      Don’t mock, discourage or create impediments for people who are trying to help Clean India.
Persons travelling in "PRESS" vehicles also need NO SPITTING lessons
4.     Use the power of technology with cameras or smartphones in our hands. Just click pictures & upload videos of people spoiling our India. We can insult & shame them by clapping hands and attracting attention to their acts as shown in a recent #SwachhBharat Incredible India ad. 


5.      Take action & raise our voice & train & sensitize people & don't allow anyone to dirty India.

  
6.   Do environment-friendly acts and encourage everyone to do so too- viz. ask people at the market not to carry plastic-bags, rather get their own cloth-bags for shopping. Hope we all behave as if everyday is World Environment Day. (Do read my post for more environment-friendly tips)

7.  If we can use social media extensively to share 'jokes', we can also use it as an agent for change. Contact local leaders or those in power and demand responsibility that they do their works.

8.  Share #SwachhBharat info with all our friends and family actively and make it a part of our DNA.
Enough reason to SHARE THIS POST NOW!
     

Love the inspiring & apt “Sharm Ka Taj" (Crown of Shame) TV-advertisements featuring Shri Aamir Khan. In one ad, the guilty are crowned with the same "shame-crown" and in the other, the public is given a choice to choose whether we want to insult our India or make our India proud.
Take pride in being an Indian” the ad concludes.

"If my face & name can beome a reason for people to follow the #SwachhIndia campaign, I'm happy to be a part of it." - Amitabh Bachchan, Campaign Ambassador

It is great that Shri Amitabh Bachchan is associated with #SwachhIndia & hope it's successful like the Pulse-Polio campaign. 

Shri Amitabh Bachchan has attained great feats in his Hindi movies like-
Done "gilly-gilly-gappa" magic tricks in Jaadugar!
Cleaned up his dirty home with the movement of his hand in Bhootnath!
Cleansed the city's crimes & baddies in "andheri raaton mein, sunsaan raahon pe" in Shahenshah!  

Some popular Bollywood-movie dialogues of Shri Amitabh Bachchan modified for Swachh Bharat-
1. 'Arre yeh jeena bhi koi jeena hai, Indiawaale?'
(Is this life worth living, Indians?)

2. 'Main aur meri tanhai aksar yeh baatein karte hain- #SwachhIndia hoti toh kaisa hota'.
(I & my melancholy often discuss- How it would be if we had a #SwachhIndia.)

3. ‘Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein khayal aata hai– ki #SwachhIndia abse pehle khayalon mein bas rahi thi kahin, #SwachhIndia haqeeqat banayenge India ke liye’
(Sometimes my heart has a feeling- previously #SwachhIndia resided in our thoughts, we will make #SwachhIndia a reality for India.)

4. ‘I can walk #SwachhIndia. I can talk #SwachhIndia. I can laugh #SwachhIndia. Because #SwachhIndia is a very important mission.’

5. '#SwachhIndia ka intezar toh SawaSauKarod deshwaasi kar rahe hai. Lekin Indiawaale, ek baat samajhlo #SwachhIndia mushkil hai, namumkin nahi'.
(1.25 crore Indians are waiting for #SwachhIndia. But Indians, understand this one point- #SwachhIndia may be difficult, but NOT impossible.) 

6. ‘Jahan khade ho jaate hain, Swachhta wahin se shuru hoti hai’
(Where I stand, cleanliness starts from there.)

To conclude, sharing this Management quote-
"It's an immutable law in business that words are words, explanations are explanations, promises are promises but only performance is reality."

Our actions have to speak louder than words… Let us make Swachh India a reality.


This is my 2nd Post for Swachh Bharat. 
My previous Post is-  Sanitation And Hygiene #SwachhIndia

Sharing two images from my previous Post. Specially created with love for #SwachhBharat & #SwachhIndia!

Swachh-Bharat-Flowchart
#SwachhIndia Flowchart Designed by Me
 
Swachh-India-Anita
What Sanitation & Hygiene mean to me!

Note-
The screenshots of Bloggers’ comments are from my post- NO SPITTING.
I had shared it for the IndiSpire Edition#24- Which bad habit of Indians would you like to change for our India? You can read all the posts about- #ChangeBadHabit4India
Thanks IndiBlogger for the IndiChange & IndiSpire initiative & for helping us contribute.
 
I am a HUGE Hindi Movies & Amitabh Bachchan Fan.
Do check out my Blog posts on Amitabh Bachchan here.
You can read my posts on Social issues here.

CleanIndia-SandArt-BaliYatra-Cuttack-Odisha-India
Sand Art depicting Clean India at the Bali Yatra, Cuttack, Odisha ; Source
Your tips for #SwachhBharat are most welcome. Please share in the comments below...

Top post on IndiBlogger.in, the community of Indian Bloggers

34 comments:

  1. A creative write up especially with the comments of the readers. Spitting/throwing papers is not only in India but is seen even in well developed countries like UK and US as well. We cannot control everyone and when they are in their high, you can expect broken glasses, wrappers to pizza covers etc. All you can do is to educate the children in the hope of better tomorrow. The banega swachh campaign is a good start.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your appreciation, Uma :)
      Some nations have heavy penalty for littering or other such acts, and thus deter citizens from indulging.
      Responsible behaviour is very citizen's duty.
      Hope we have more such campaigns & awareness so that we get to see a #SwachhIndia soon.

      Delete
  2. Nice effort Anita...

    ReplyDelete
  3. It's high time we make #swachhindia campaign a reality! Practicing hygienic habits at home and outside should be on everyone's agenda! Liked your creative take for this social cause. And thanks a lot for the mention, Anita! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amen! Totally agree, Shilpa! May we all treat this as priority.
      Thanks a lot! Delighted you liked it!
      My pleasure :)

      Delete
  4. It will take sincere effort by each one of us to make this vision a reality. Meaningful post, Anita!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes indeed, Beloo.
      We need "education" too along with sincere effort.
      Thanks for your appreciation :)

      Delete
  5. Great effort, Anita. I love the unique ways in which you convey your message. Very creative.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for your kind words & recognition :) Means a lot!

      Delete
  6. Wow. Great points. Best of luck :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lovely to hear from you.
      Thanks a lot, Pankti!
      Best wishes to you too!

      Delete
  7. where is a will , there is way !

    ReplyDelete
  8. It is a very creative post Anita and all the best for the contest :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks a lot, Shruthi :) Best wishes to you!

      Delete
  9. thanks for mention and as I said on twitter impressive and detailed post on the issue

    my post for the same Banega Swachh India

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your appreciation, Cifar :)
      Pleasure to mention your valid comment in my post!
      Best wishes :)

      Delete
  10. Hello!
    Congratulations!
    Welcome your blog is to accept, in the "International Directory Blogspot"
    INDIA Division No. 429
    Have a great day
    Sincerely
    Chris

    On the right side (see green) whole Country list! By clicking on it you will have the blog list of this country! And so the ability to communicate and interact with them. Language problem? Use the Google translator!
    The activity is only friendly.

    I give you badges for your blog
    http addresses are those where you will find the badge image
    http://nsm05.casimages.com/img/2012/07/12/12071211040212502810092867.gif
    http://nsm05.casimages.com/img/2012/09/06/12090603083012502810288938.gif
    http://nsm05.casimages.com/img/2012/09/21/12092110155912502810343002.gif
    http://nsm08.casimages.com/img/2014/09/02/14090209425712502812494399.jpg

    Investment badge on your blog entitles the status of "VIP"

    Our site does not ask for money! The activity is only friendly
    Please: Made know the "directory" INDIA with your friends and invite your friends
    "Unity makes strength"
    For other bloggers come and register
    http://world-directory-sweetmelody.blogspot.com/
    Imperative to follow our blog to validate your registration.Thank you for your understanding

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lovely to hear from you again, Chris :)
      Thank you so much for the info and for inviting & including my Blog in the World Directory.
      Great to find my Blog in the India list :)
      Unity is indeed strength.
      I love all the badges. Thanks a lot!

      Delete
  11. Informative post Anita, people need self-awareness and most importantly #Swachh India journey starts from our own house. I liked the concept of using reader's comment in your post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your appreciation, Appy! Yes, we all have to work for #SwachhIndia.
      Glad you liked my post :)

      Delete
  12. This vision will become reality only when every individual contributes in every possible way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Absolutely true, Rajesh. May we all contribute.

      Delete
  13. A very innovative perspective to promote cleanliness, Anita! Best of luck for the contest!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your appreciation & wishes, Rahulji :) Best wishes to you too!

      Delete
  14. "If the world is our home, then India is a room where we stay.

    If all rooms are cleaned, then our home will be clean too. ".....very well said, if everyone starts doing their bit....we will achieve the results..
    I also liked the way you mentioned ABji's dialogues with a swachh India words ��

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Anita :)
      Yes, we must all feel that apart from our 'home', India & the world is our home too!
      I have watched most ABji's movies. Delighted you liked it!

      Delete
  15. Yet another super post Soul -sis. The message is loud and clear and the problem I see is we in India want everything to change around us without we initiating anything. But I am positive and optimistic on this changing now. Coming to the post, I love the way you take the topic and make it so unique and leave it on a happy and positive note...need to learn a lot from you :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for such kind words, Soul-sis :)
      Yes, our India is our responsibility. We must initiate change.
      May we have everyone's participation & a Swachh India soon.

      Delete
  16. Most of the times, those who dirty their surroundings carelessly are those who are proud of maintaining 'their' home and 'their' belongings clean. they know to be clean but they don't keep our country clean. The only way to educate them is to open their eyes to see 'world as their home, our home' as you have rightly said... Well said Anita... May environment be in everyone's heart not just in calendar...
    TC! Keep smiling :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very true, Sindhu.
      The 'Banega Swachh India' programme highlighted this point too- that people from big cars dirty their surroundings...
      Exactly! May we all accept & take up ownership of India as our home.
      That'll be wonderful for the environment :)

      Keep Smiling :)

      Delete
  17. Wow. This was such a detailed post. I see how much you are eager to meet AB senior. Wish you all the luck. Hope you win :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks a lot for your appreciation and good wishes, Anmol :)
      However, the results are out and this post hasn't won any prize :)

      Delete

Your words mean a lot to me.

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