I heard two people debating about two countries being most popularly spoken of; yes I mean US and India.

Well to arouse your curiosity regarding the subject matter for discussion, it was all about cleanliness!!

Ever since I returned from the US, I have been deeply concerned about cleanliness in India.

I am sure most of the readers would also feel the same!

Now, the burning question that arises over and over again in our minds is "Will the revolution ever begin “If yes, then when?

As a matter of fact, there is an over emphasis on cleanliness in Indian culture, though not a widespread nature. People might broom the hell out of the area in front of their homes and shops, but then they will broom all the dirt from their straight into the street. ….so even though someone's storefront is clean, the actual street and surrounding location is still disgusting, full of trash, poop etc.

I'm painting a really dire picture, but it really frustrates me that there’s cleanliness hypocrisy here. Indians are obsessed with cleanliness within boundaries, and beyond that they are completely comfortable littering the streets, not caring for the environment even a little bit.

Or marking a very simple observation, have we not observed our own elders, parents, or teachers throw away waste innocently? But the same people when flown to the west get rather very conscious and undo their carelessness.

Carelessness or callousness!!We have abused our environment beyond recognition-a very rude fact.

Some developed countries in this context call India the world toilet!!! Isn’t that hurtful? India our motherland is as dear to us, as much as our own mother...putting it in plain and simple words.

With an ardent desire in my heart to do my bit on the cleanliness drive, I have started blogging, voicing out this fact, where ever possible to bring in the awareness.

Charity begins at home…as goes the famous proverb...

A Few Fairy Tale initiatives to sweep India Clean-Believe it or not??

• Our good old Indian Railways are finding meaningful ways to engage rag pickers across the country. They are being pressed into service to clean the tracks at stations and become daily wagers.
• Painting colors on the same issue, our renowned cartoonist RK Laxman’s common man and his wife are on a mass appeal trying to spread the message of cleanliness to Mumbaikars.
• The Brihanmumbai municipal corporation has made a documentary film in collaboration with the chiranjeev creations to be shown in 23 theatres through the Films division.

Interesting tidbits on the movie:

The film would initially be released in Hindi, Marathi and English.

The director of the film is Neelkantee Patekar, wife of Nana Patekar

• Yashvantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU) has become the first university in the state to incorporate a course in Gram Swachhata Abhiyan.

"It is an attempt to make students aware of the clean village campaign run by the state government," said Rajan Velukar, vice-chancellor of YCMOU.

Did you know?

In Mumbai alone, 1.2 crore people produce garbage at the rate of 6500 tonnes per day!!

At this juncture, what do you think Indian government should do? May be start collecting a penalty fine for messing up our own home? I guess that’s probably a wise thing to do, to start with BMC of Mumbai collects a fine of Rs1 lakh every month.

To fuel this revolution on cleanliness’ widespread awareness and participation is required, in a drive to make our home clean and better place to live.

Cleanliness is next to godliness, cleanliness is an attribute to a developed nation.

On that note, let’s pledge to keep our surroundings and environment at large -clean and beautiful!