Clean India, but not this way
posted on Sep 30, 2014 4:08PM
We are watching many central and state ministers hitting the streets armed with brooms for cleaning the roads in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for ‘Swachcha Bharat.’ Indeed it appears great to watch them participate in such social events and inspiring the people to join this program. However, is it a wise idea that union ministers escorted by black cat commandoes and with ‘Z’ plus security cover cleaning the roads? Can the country afford such a costly showbiz by the ministers?
Moreover, their presence around will create problems to general public instead of helping them. Of course, there is nothing wrong in creating awareness in the people, but they shouldn’t turn white elephants for the public. So, they should play a bigger role in mobilizing the people for participating in such programs instead of sweeping the roads and public places.
Government should aware that it should be adopted as a continuous process and not a week or month period, otherwise it will not serve the purpose but mere waste of public money and time. At the same time if government could create awareness in the people not to litter the public places and maintain hygienic conditions everywhere, it will bring a visible change in the country. But, as long as the people are littering the streets and public places Modi’s mission will remain impossible. Hence, this mission is to be handled in rather different style and need to be think with larger view than doing all these funny road shows by ministers. Government can seek the help of voluntary organizations, celebrities for creating awareness in the people.