PM Modi's initiative "Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan" has got the whole of India talking about cleanliness. Its not like we did not know about cleanliness, however, we collectively have conditioned ourselves to turn a blind eye to filth that's filling this country up. Every major city has the problem of garbage collection and disposal. We feel that we are not responsible for this problem, its governments job to clean it up. This attitude is the sole reason for the pathetic condition that we are finding ourselves in.
When the initiative was launched, many celebrities including our PM where seen with a broom in hand cleaning a small area. Many people watching it on TV were smugly smiling and saying "Bah, this is just for publicity, our country will never change". And I absolutely agree with this sentiment. With this attitude, there will never be a change in this country. Cleaning behind us is not governments job. Its our responsibility to not throw garbage anywhere but in the dustbin.
Let me tell you a story that happened recently. I was coming back from office and was waiting for my train. A guy comes forward and throws that semi-empty water bottle on the tracks. Nobody says anything, so I muster up courage and ask him "Why are you throwing it on the tracks?" and he replies, "There's no dustbin around.". I show him the dustbin that's right behind him and he sheepishly smiles and says, "Aadat hai" (Its habitual).
Now there are many more incidents that happen in a local train. People eating fruits and throwing waste under the seat or outside the train. Spitting at each and every halt that the train makes. I try to stop people from doing this, few agree with me, few ignore me and then there are few who say "Whats the problem with you, if you want it clean, you clean".
Even when there's a dustbin in sight, people cant even walk to it. Are we that lazy. Do we want dustbins every 10 meters or so? If somehow the arduous journey is made, we will not go near it but try to throw the garbage from a distance which more often than not ends up falling outside the bin. "Close enough". Well not exactly. Just walk a few more steps and throw it right inside the bin.
Its easy to blame the government for all things that are wrong with the country. And its our right too. However, first we need to do our duty as a citizen of this country. I am not saying that we go out there and start cleaning. There are a bunch of people who do that and if you would like to contribute, that would be great. I know of one such group which is active in Delhi area. In case of more information, you can follow their twitter handle @_WeMeanToClean
Let us pledge that we will throw garbage in dustbins. Even when we don't see one in sight, we will collect it in a plastic bag and throw it later. Educate someone who you see not doing the same. Yes, you might get some angry response, but still the seed would be sown in his mind and he might start thinking over it.
Its not a big thing to do. However, if we all do it collectively, it will have a huge impact on the society. Lets start a revolution and make this country clean.
When the initiative was launched, many celebrities including our PM where seen with a broom in hand cleaning a small area. Many people watching it on TV were smugly smiling and saying "Bah, this is just for publicity, our country will never change". And I absolutely agree with this sentiment. With this attitude, there will never be a change in this country. Cleaning behind us is not governments job. Its our responsibility to not throw garbage anywhere but in the dustbin.
Let me tell you a story that happened recently. I was coming back from office and was waiting for my train. A guy comes forward and throws that semi-empty water bottle on the tracks. Nobody says anything, so I muster up courage and ask him "Why are you throwing it on the tracks?" and he replies, "There's no dustbin around.". I show him the dustbin that's right behind him and he sheepishly smiles and says, "Aadat hai" (Its habitual).
Now there are many more incidents that happen in a local train. People eating fruits and throwing waste under the seat or outside the train. Spitting at each and every halt that the train makes. I try to stop people from doing this, few agree with me, few ignore me and then there are few who say "Whats the problem with you, if you want it clean, you clean".
Even when there's a dustbin in sight, people cant even walk to it. Are we that lazy. Do we want dustbins every 10 meters or so? If somehow the arduous journey is made, we will not go near it but try to throw the garbage from a distance which more often than not ends up falling outside the bin. "Close enough". Well not exactly. Just walk a few more steps and throw it right inside the bin.
Its easy to blame the government for all things that are wrong with the country. And its our right too. However, first we need to do our duty as a citizen of this country. I am not saying that we go out there and start cleaning. There are a bunch of people who do that and if you would like to contribute, that would be great. I know of one such group which is active in Delhi area. In case of more information, you can follow their twitter handle @_WeMeanToClean
Let us pledge that we will throw garbage in dustbins. Even when we don't see one in sight, we will collect it in a plastic bag and throw it later. Educate someone who you see not doing the same. Yes, you might get some angry response, but still the seed would be sown in his mind and he might start thinking over it.
Its not a big thing to do. However, if we all do it collectively, it will have a huge impact on the society. Lets start a revolution and make this country clean.
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