PM Modi's Desperate Try to Clean India with Swachh Bharat Mission Fails - Indians should have Common Sense
While the mission built millions of toilets and encouraged waste management practices, the underlying problem remains: the infrastructure and resources alone cannot drive change without active public participation. Across urban and rural areas alike, littering, open defecation, and inadequate waste disposal practices are still common, pointing to a deeper challenge of ingrained habits and attitudes.
One major hurdle for Swachh Bharat has been India’s limited emphasis on civic education and individual responsibility towards public spaces. In many communities, there is a tendency to view cleanliness as the government’s job rather than a shared societal responsibility. Consequently, despite government efforts, individuals often neglect basic practices like proper waste disposal, refraining from littering and maintaining public spaces.
This lack of civic sense has hampered the mission’s impact, as newly built facilities and sanitation initiatives quickly deteriorate due to neglect or misuse. Moreover, without regular maintenance and responsible usage, these efforts are unlikely to result in lasting change. Educational campaigns to instill civic pride and individual responsibility, therefore, are essential to make progress beyond infrastructural improvements.