India cleanliness drive Our P.M has taken up a very serious issue for the first time that has long escaped attention of our politicians. Fortunately ,our Goa C.M had begun the process long ago by cutting 2 Oct. Gandhi Jayanti, whatever might have been his hidden intentions and Govt .servant resisted the compulsion The high ways. are kept clean, but every private vehicle dump the waste on roads P.M has created ripple effect as many private houses, Industrialist and NGO have come forward to shape his dream and make it happen. Cleanliness is next to Godliness. It is an attitude that must change into behaviour. In India it is sad to see open spaces converted into latrines for defecation, urination ,spitting. The beginning must start at home, but sadly many homes have no arrangements for a toilet. This has put women at risk of rapes, molestation's and murder. Personal and oral hygiene , bathing, clean clothes etc are taught at home. Even little children in west are taught to use the trashing units and parents lift them up, We have been sensitized of late to keep or homes and surroundings clean by dumping waste elsewhere, People living in cities and housing colonies have no option, but to pollute every source, be it land, water, air.Our roadsides, water bodies , markets , eating places, and land are an eyesore. Our siting rooms are immaculately clean, but not our store rooms, kitchens, toilets and which are barometers of sense and attitude towards cleanliness. Our outer garments are immaculately clean but not the inner wear, kerchiefs, socks etc. The attitude towards cleanliness must be taught, sustained by constant monitoring and best done at home. Considering our literary level, the responsibility is trust on schools
Schools too do not consider personal hygiene as a priority, but some attention is not lacking. There are no toilets , facilities for drinking water , washing etc when children have to spend long hours in schools. The education inspectors in Goa go hammer and tongs about availability toilets in private Institutions only. Most of the Govt primary schools are using open spaces to ease themselves.and staff goes to private residences in the vicinity. Besides being undesirable it also creates health problems by spreading of diseases, Minimum of waste paper baskets are also not in site .The toilets are often filthy and the concept of antiseptic soap is a dream. In one case I was happy that soaps were constantly disappearing and I presumed that they were taking it home for personal use It is noticed in the west that there is system of regular, segregated waste collection at source, public places, buildings, public transport, malls, recreational places, team parks, restaurants at a price and disposal so long as this facility is not provided the litter will be all around. In Goa every site for disposal is vehemently objected, so that we have place for everything except waste disposal The system of fines for public nuisance and enforcement is a insurmountable task and is a patchy, half-hearted solutions, since people will always find ways to beat, There are no public toilets at convenient places Those that exists are badly maintained and are stinking at times, so open places are more desirable. Our tracks are littered as there is no collection, and the toilets are used on platforms Cleanliness of surroundings be it home, school, public places must be ingrained a constant habit and attitude to bring about desirable behaviour, One day sanctimonious ritual/ exercise is not the remedy. Our P.M has made it a priority and will make some dent in an effort that has already caught the imagination of the nation at large Nelson Lopes, Chinchinim Click here to