Cleanliness is Godliness’, has become one of those platitudes that we never pay much heed to. But when one hears rather appalling facts like India accounts for nearly 60 percent of open defecation in the world, that phrase suddenly comes to hold grave significance.
Thus began Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan in the year 2014. The Swachh Vidyalaya Abhiyan and Rashtriya Swachhata Kosh were imbibed in the movement.
Modi’s vision for the future is now a recurring concept in many of his endeavors. It is an attempt to not only inspire more confidence within voters, but is also a sincere move to evolve India’s perception and support the impoverished. Swachh Bharat thoroughly encompasses this, as it is one of the most decisive initiatives undertaken at such a large scale. Swachh Bharat is a commitment to the people of India. To summarise, I see it as an impetus for change.
Hearing stories about how the Navlewadi village has been equipped with 35,000 litres of water tanks, the missions in Rajasthan, Chaura’s spring clean-up, the Swachh Bharat tax, and the eradication of waste in the Puzhakkal village in Thrissur, Kerala, would make one feel that these developments will pave the way for a clean India.
But when I compare the size, issues and mindsets of the people in both Singapore (where I study), and India, I do think that achieving Modi’s goal for a clean and Open Defecation Free (ODF) India by 2019 is an astronomical ambition.
The Singapore legend
Living in Singapore, sanitation has never crossed my mind, as it has never been an area of concern. Consequently, I have perpetually heard the statement ‘clean and green country’, be it from a tourist, resident or citizen.
But after living in a place with varying degrees of absolutely pristine bathrooms and immaculate pavements, I still find it incredibly difficult to decipher how Singapore has maintained such steady footing on this particular path.
However, writing these words down has not only made the mélange of thoughts in my mind clearer, but I have somehow developed a diverse outlook with regards to Swachh Bharat when I contemplate Singapore’s progression over the years with regards to sanitation. In my opinion, Singapore’s resolute and dedicated attitude after it attained independence from Malaysia (then Malaya), played a pivotal role.
The government instilled the concept of guardianship among the people. This remains a common ideal that every citizen here adheres to, till this day. The excise duties and taxes that are levied due to littering are some common regulations. Bins are almost ubiquitous. Probably even more than trees. With such compliances, many have developed the unconscious wisdom within them to keep the environment clean.
The inception of the Deep Tunnel Sewage System after 1965 led to the eradication of the hated pit latrine – the primary contributor to all manner of disease. Moreover, funds were spent on improving public housing, as the government saw it as a top priority to address.
Ten years were entirely spent on cleaning up the Singapore River. The establishment of the NGO, World Toilet Organisation, introduction of the NEWater plant and Marina Barrage, soon followed. This greatly enhanced the nature of the intensive pursuit towards cleanliness.
There is one fact which is quite clear here. Prioritisation.
And the India story
Unfortunately, India has fallen very short in this regard. Even though I am a proud Indian who shows off the Ashok Sthambh on her passport, it is almost as though our indifference has exacerbated the issue. Granted, our recent history has been tumultuous. But Singapore unlike India has always seen sanitation as a key priority in their policies and goals.
Without beating around the bush this is the truth. The pestilential virus that has pervaded the system here in India is corruption, along with other inefficiencies, as funds have not been allocated effectively. Bringing up some of the questionable actions of local authorities, public corporations and middlemen, will highlight this.
The monsoon rains of 2011, for instance, comes to mind while discussing this matter – the government was not decisive enough to help local slum dwellers in Mumbai combat the issues that were brought about by the sudden leakages in pipes. Many people contracted various water – borne diseases. Similarily, the building of toilets that were planned in Kunti, Jharkand, never yielded much progress in overcoming open defecation. India being a developing, but thriving economy, has an array of problems to address. ‘Swachh Bharat’ is becoming one of them.
This debilitating crisis has affected many sectors and institutions. Swachh Bharat now has to work its way through each. Winning this long and overwhelming crusade is especially hard due to the number of institutions and establishments that would need to be integrated and involved.
Unlike Singapore, India’s complicated and intricate system makes the situation all the more complex. Not only will there have to be a lot of private sector participation, but settlements like slums, roads, railways and other services will also be significantly affected. The ideology is nothing but a microcosm. Its implementation in these services and establishments is what is the big picture.
This is predominantly because Swachh Bharat faces a massive hurdle, as generations have been deprived of clean and sanitary toilets. The toilet is not an ordinary gizmo to all of us. It has reached a magnitude where ensuring that people acclimitise well, is in itself a bigger obstacle than the provision of the toilets! An NSSO (National Sample Survey Organisation) survey confirmed this last year. We face this rather ironic situation as people have defecated and urinated out in the open for decades and this is what they have grown accustomed to. This is the truth. They may see the toilet as an intrusion into this practice.
Let’s face another fact. Singapore is a nation with a population of a few million, while India has a population of more than a billion. The political systems and nature of control between the two societies is highly contrasting. Steering the nation in the right direction is an overwhelming crusade to fight. Transcending a message of positive cohesion is unfortunately too measured a process.
It is vital for everyone to realise that sanitation on its own is a massive feat to achieve. It is progressive. Some speculate that the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is going more slow, rather than steady. That is where I beg to differ. No country has it easy. Singapore did not. Supply side policies and movements like this always take long periods of time to set in.
Conclusion
‘Swachh Bharat’ is more than a campaign. It is an ideology. As Indian citizens, this ideology needs to be etched in our minds. In Singapore, it has been built into the ethos of the minds and ideas of the people. Changing our perception towards it is vital.
If you see a change, or notice a distinguishable change – express it. Just like how we marvel at the 7.6 percent growth rate our economy has achieved, showcase that attitude when you see the progression of Swachh Bharat.
I see one toilet built as a real change. With over 31.83 lakh toilets built, massive public sector undertakings and avid participation, I do have complete hope and trust in this pioneering campaign. Let Swachh Bharat be the symbol of an ‘open defecation free’ India.
Yes. I am an idealist.n