India, with its rich cultural heritage and vibrant diversity,faces a paradox when it comes to

sanitation and cleanliness. For years,the lack of proper waste management and open defecation

had marred the country's image, both domestically and globally. It was against this backdrop that

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission) on 2nd

October 2014, marking the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, who had always advocated for

cleanliness as a core value for India's development.

The Objective

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan aimed to clean streets,roads, and infrastructure ofIndia’s cities and rural

areas. More importantly, it aimed to eliminate open defecation by building adequate sanitation

facilities, thereby improving the overall health and hygiene of the nation. The mission had a

deadline set for 2nd October 2019, in honor of Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary, with the ambitious

goal of achieving a completely open-defecation-free (ODF) India.

The core objectives of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan include:

Eradicating open defecation through the construction oftoilets.

Promoting the use of sanitation and changing public attitudes towards waste management.

Ensuring proper waste management by encouraging citizens to adopt recycling and waste

segregation at the source.

Creating awareness about the link between cleanliness and health, and the role citizens play in

maintaining public spaces.

Impact on Sanitation and Hygiene

The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has been a massive game changer, particularly in rural areas where

open defecation was widespread. According to government reports, since the inception of the

program, over 100 million toilets have been built across India. As a result, numerous villages and

districts have been declared ODF, reducing the public health risks associated with open

defecation.

The movement also broughtin behavioral changes, with public campaigns and advertisements

focusing on the importance of using toilets, proper waste disposal, and keeping public spaces

clean. Celebrities and public figures supported the campaign, making itresonate with a larger

audience. “Cleanliness is nextto godliness,” a sentiment often expressed by Mahatma Gandhi,

became a widely recognized slogan during the campaign.

Urban Cleanliness and Waste Management

In urban areas, Swachh Bharatfocused on waste management and creating cleaner public spaces.

Municipalities were urged to improve solid waste management practices by setting up recycling

systems and encouraging households to segregate waste. Swachh Survekshan, an annual survey

conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, ranked cities on their cleanliness, thus

instilling a competitive spirit among urban areas to maintain cleaner environments.

Cities like Indore and Surat have emerged as champions of cleanliness, maintaining top spots in

the rankings for years. The survey system also encourages citizen participation and creates a sense

of accountability at the municipal level, making cleanliness a priority.

Challenges and Criticism

While Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has witnessed commendable achievements, challenges remain.

Despite the construction of toilets, ensuring their usage and maintenance continues to be a hurdle,

particularly in remote areas. Infrastructure without proper water supply or drainage systems often

remains underutilized. Moreover, behavioral change is not easy to sustain—long-standing habits of

open defecation, littering, and lack of awareness about waste segregation still persist in some

parts of the country.

Another critical issue is waste management. While Swachh Bharat has improved cleanliness,

India's growing urban population generates more waste than can be effectively managed. Improper

disposal of plastic waste, overflowing landfills, and a lack of advanced recycling infrastructure

remain pressing problems.

The Way Forward

To ensure the long-term success of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, sustained efforts are needed to

improve sanitation infrastructure, encourage waste segregation, and educate the public.

Community-led initiatives, public-private partnerships, and continuous governmental support can

help bridge the remaining gaps. Further, waste-to-energy plants and the adoption of sustainable

waste management technologies are crucial to handle the rising urban waste effectively.

Behavioral change campaigns must continue, focusing not only on sanitation but also on broader

environmental consciousness. Incorporating these values into the education system can instill a

sense of responsibility towards cleanliness and hygiene in younger generations.

Conclusion

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan is more than just a governmentinitiative—it is a movement that invites

every Indian citizen to contribute towards a cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous nation. The

mission has already made significant strides in improving sanitation, hygiene, and waste

management, butthe journey is far from over. Ensuring thatIndia remains clean and open-

defecation-free requires continuous effort, innovation, and the active involvement of every citizen.

As Gandhi once said,"Be the change you wish to see in the world." Swachh Bharat is notjust about

policy, but aboutindividuals committing to a cleaner, more responsible way oflife. Only through

collective action can we ensure that the dream of a truly Swachh Bharat is realized