I will neither litter not let others litter. I will initiate the quest for cleanliness with myself, my family, my locality, my village and my workplace. I believe that the countries of the world that appear clean are so because their citizens don't indulge in littering nor do they allow it to happen. I am confident that every step I take towards cleanliness will help in making my country clean.
Aligning with the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi, the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) was initiated in 2014 to achieve universal sanitation coverage by 2 October 2019. This flagship programme is, perhaps, the largest cleanliness and waste management drive as well as an attempt to effect behavioural change in the world ever.
The ancient Indus valley civilisation accorded prime importance to sanitation and waste management by meticulously integrating systems into town planning. Although sanitation, waste management and hygiene are considered to be virtues in all cultures and religions of the world, prevalence of such conditions have been a problem faced by most of the countries at some point of time in the process of their economic development. Many have alluded to the unhygienic conditions that prevailed in the industrial towns of 19th century Europe.
Impacts of Swachh Bharat Mission :
By promoting sustainable waste management practices, the mission has empowered communities, improved public health, and sparked a cultural shift towards hygiene. A study in Nature estimated that the SBM programme has been instrumental in averting 60,000–70,000 infant deaths annually since its launch.
The Assessed and Projected Progress on Sanitation coverage on health gains
Diarrhoea cases reduced from around 6,968 and 5,262 in 2015 to 5,683 and 4,550 in 2019 in the first and second group respectively.
Diarrhoea in Indian States, Before and After Swachh Bharat Mission
Malaria cases also dropped from around 761 and 273 in 2015 to 222 and 113 in 2019 in the first and second group respectively
Malaria in Indian States, Before and After Swachh Bharat Mission
Still births came down from 540 and 403 in 2015 to 456 and 368 in 2019 in the first and second group respectively. Low birth-weight cases declined from 3,890 and 3,230 in 2015 to 3,686 and 3,198 in 2019 in the first and second group respectively.
Low Birth Weight Cases in Indian States.
Rise of ODF Plus Villages: Building on the success of ODF status, the SBM has progressed to its second phase, focusing on ODF Plus villages. This initiative aims to ensure that villages not only achieve and maintain ODF status but also implement solid and liquid waste management systems. As of September 2023, over 4.4 lakh villages in India have declared themselves ODF Plus, marking a significant step towards comprehensive sanitation coverage.
Future Initiatives :
Future steps for SBM will focus on fostering behavior change under the theme “Swabhav Swachhata, Sanskar Swachhata,” promoting cleanliness as a way of life. Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal chaired a high-level meeting on 30 August 2024 to review the preparations for the upcoming Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) campaign 2024 which will begin on 17th September and conclude on 2nd October.
The campaign will focus on mobilizing public participation (Jan Bhagidari), achieving sustainable cleanliness, and recognizing the vital role of sanitation workers (Safai Mitras).
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