What works best also looks best. As this is the fundamental law of human creation, ugly objects tend to function poorly from the start. In order to abridge the gap of fundamental human psychology and dream of clean India, green India we need to ponder the various aspects of work on. Though managing all this is a herculean task in itself but challenges if taken with dedicated efforts becomes reality.
The recent launch of “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” can be taken into the strides of green India. Up to some extent this is quite sufficient to cater the primitive congestion that is still dormant. Of numerous of initiatives that have been taken so far, the launch of Swachhta Abhiyan has the greatest potential to transform the lives of all Indian –rich and poor. Sanitation has been the theme of virtually every government in recent times.
As per Mahatma Gandhi,
“A lavatory must be as clean as a drawing room. I learnt this in the west. I believe that many rules about cleanliness in lavatories observed more scrupulously in the west than in the east.”
It’s not only about toilets, having experienced not so clean toilets as well as open defecation during childhood visits to villages and the town next door, I fully appreciate why many prefer to go for open despite access to a toilet.
Cleanliness and then greenery need resolution and commitment that must be exhibited at all levels. Some of the programs that launched, like Central Rural Sanitation programme in 1986 and then Complete Sanitation Campaign in 1999, were virtually kindled as the time passes away.
Till date sweeping streets and ending open defecation have occupied media centre stage. But equally critical to Swachh Bharat are access to piped water, well drainage, sewage and solid waste management in cities and villages, elimination of ponds in which stagnant water collects and serves as a host to bacteria and mosquitoes, instilling greater appreciation of cleanliness in all its aspects among the masses. For this what we exactly need to do is replacing slums with more spacious with piped water delivery and modern sewage facilities.
Ending open defecation needs multiplication of toilets at mega speed. But persuading households to actually use them is something which requires greater attention. Moreover, the scarcity (more than basic) of finance is a matter of concern. Financially, the government will need to allocate about 2 to 3 percent of GDP annually till the target completes. But there are only four avenues which can accumulate resources;
1. Increases in revenues made possible by accelerated growth rate.
2. Cuts in middle class subsidiaries such as electricity, cooking gas, etc.
3. Elimination of huge leakages in the myriad social schemes by replacing them with cash transfer.
4. Accelerated disinvestment including outright privatization.
Pursuit of Clean India, Green India, requires strengthening public health services as well. This includes absence of ponds and swamps that are home to stagnant water and supply of safe drinking water, good drainage system- all of which reduce exposure to and spread of diseases- are classic examples of public goods and effective governmental intervention.
The drainage system of India is quite pathetic. A bout of monsoon rains is often enough to clog the drain and create swampy conditions conducive to quick spread of communicable diseases. In cleaning we need to look for wholesome, clean can be green but if green takes its shape cleanliness blooms all around. Means cleanliness paves a way for further adjustment of depicted and unattended problems. The two sides of a coin can be adjudged relevantly but the conditions prevailed therein needs a focused and unique change. Implanting the people in doing exotic surveyed works for the same could do wonders.
Cleaning India does not mean simply taking up brooms and cleaning roads and streets but also to keep mind and soul clean from all kind of negative and evil thoughts. Our ancestors always stressed on keeping children, houses and surrounding clean to keep diseases at bay and to maintain aesthetic sense alive. Even some of the festivals like chhath are observed with all possible cleanliness. We need to manage all around. A thing of beauty can only be joy forever if done quite efficiently. Here beauty is something different. It comprises strong commitment, dream and passion for building a new India, a clean India, and a green India.
In the jest of all these, we need to draw certain plans. Though swachhta abhiyan is in progress we need a dedicated centralize channel that could function at central level and having distributive subsidiaries at state level. Governing a county of 125 crore is a challenge in itself. But we need to approach beyond the existing possibilities. We have to chase for perfection. The concept of unity of command should be executed.
Now, clean India is what the whole country is talking about. But green India needs a proper attention as well. Though clean and green are adjacent, but both have a different mode of execution at a broader level. The ongoing National Mission Action Plan has provided an impetus. Greening in the context of climate change adaptation and mitigation meant to enhance ecosystem services like carbon sequestration and storage.
The primary focus will be on improving density of forest cover emphasizing on biodiversity, water and improved biomass, carbon sequestration as co-benefit and addressing ecosystem like grassland. For this Gram Sabha is perfect institution for the implementation.
For making India green, we need increase forest area/tree cover which could result in improved quality of forest ecosystem consequently a better climate to climatic conditions. Ultimately clean India could only promote a green India. The every sphere of life should be clean and clear to know what life is all about. This includes absenteeism of alcoholism and pollution. We ought to inculcate our friendly approach towards the thing that really makes this universe awesome. Actually what exist does not get revealed and what exists remains an existence. So a thorough assignment is needed for evolving the concept. Though it might take enormous time but the clear cut result is obvious.
As final thought, let me state that it is of utmost importance that Swachhta Abhiyan sustains the public awareness campaign at the high level; through speeches and commercial on televisions and radios. Government must continually exhort citizens to change their habit. The government must also cajole chief ministers, prominent politicians of all parties and films and sports starts to do the same. All TV channels must be encouraged to broadcast programs featuring experts from medical and allied fields who can credibly explain damages that poor personal hygiene, littering and open defecation happen to the health of all citizens.
Rural folk must also be made aware of the health hazards posed by cohabitation with livestock, which naturally defecates in open.
Being an Indian where Mahatma Gandhi is known as father of nation, if we wage this campaign on a war footing as we once did to eradicate polio, we can surely make the 150th anniversary of Gandhi Ji a memorable day for every citizen of India…..
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