I had visited Europe as part of my student exchange program. The first thing you notice about being abroad is it's beauty. How beautiful everything looks there.I am not talking about the only tourist spots but everything; walls, streets, parks, normal eating places etc.There are people living, walking and doing daily chores just like we do in India. They are just other human beings then how can their country look so beautiful than mine. One thing I am sure is they, themselves, made their country this beautiful. It's not a God's gift to them. Their habits, their culture made their country as it is what it is.
It's established then that a place's beauty is related to the culture of the society at that place. Does that mean we are so much lacking in our sense of surroundings? I have heard many times many people boasting about our rich cultural heritage. Is this the culture that we talked about? If not, then we need to develop not just economically but socially as well. I know that the hardest thing to achieve is cultural change and 'Swatch Bharat' Campaign is a step towards it.
When I heard about Modi's Campaign for 'Swatch Bharat', the cleanliness drive to involve common people of the country, I was excited but also skeptical about it's success. Then I see comments and posts from political parties like Congress and Aam Admi Party condemning that Modi has just created another event for PR purpose. This campaign is nothing but a photo opportunity for the BJP. Not many places are going to be actually cleaned and similar such things. My suspicion for the campaign and its motive increased.
On 2nd October, I saw PM Modi cleaning some places and inviting many celebrities to join the campaign and encourage more people to be a part of it. Later Shashi Tharoor adulates Modi for the initiative and said he would be happily joining the cause. Sachin Tendulkar also came up for the cause along with some friends. I like how people are talking about this campaign. I don't know how many places are cleaned post that campaign but I can feel a sense of cleanliness amongst my friends. One of my friends has raised his voice to a fellow citizen to not to litter while eating at a roadside hawker.
I myself had an experience that enthralled me. I took a glass of juice from a hawker and while I was getting cash from my wallet I put the soiled glass at his cart. On seeing the guy picked the glass I said "kya kar rahe ho bhaiya, road pe fek rahe ho kya" ("What? Are you going to throw it on road?")
He replied with a smile "arre Nahin sir, itna campaign chalaya Modiji ne. Hume laga aap na fek de isliye utha ke khud hi dustbin me daal rahe hain." ("Oh No Sir, I too have seen that campaign started by Modi. I thought you were going to litter so I, myself, is putting this trash in a dustbin")
A person, who is so low in socioeconomic class as per the academic definition, is talking about such good things. I was very happy with his suspicion on me and his desire to take responsibility not for his own but the possibility of other to litter. He was not only just talking about Modi and his 'Swatch Bharat campaign' but also he is contributing in his own way to it.
I don't know how many places have been cleaned post that campaign but I do know that millions of people are talking about it. Millions of people have acknowledged that it's a good thing to have clean surrounding. Millions of people are realizing that wherever they are they can contribute to this campaign by two ways; not littering and asking other to do the same. I am not sure how many people will actually come out of their house to clean public places but I know millions of them are determined to not contribute in making it more dirty.
I don't know how long will this campaign have impact but I do know that currently millions of people have raised their hope for a clean India, better India. Millions of people are inspired and have an awareness about their responsibility. Millions of people have faith in Modi and they want to follow their leader in good cause. Millions of people think about India First!
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