The ambitious Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, which was officially launched on October 2, 2014 amid much fanfare with Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself cleaning the road with a broom at Rajghat in New Delhi, was seen as a harbinger of change which would influence the behaviour of millions of Indians who are notoriously known for dumping their wastes in public places. For months, bureaucrats wielding the broom also continued to dominate the media space. However, over two years since the campaign was launched, the cleanliness zeal, it seems, has taken a backseat. A reality check done by Bureaucracy Today in Shastri Bhawan in Lutyens’ Delhi which houses major Central Ministries indicates that those in the corridors of power are not readying themselves to become part of a new, clean and swanky India.
In India where even educated and elite class people have no qualms about littering public spaces, the sight of its Prime Minister and top bureaucrats wielding the broom carries a powerful symbolism. The Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, described as “beyond politics” and “inspired by patriotism”, aims at accomplishing the vision of a Clean India, as envisaged by Mahatma Gandhi, by October 2, 2019, coinciding with the 150th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation.
However, it is no symbolism or photo-op with brooms that will achieve the objective of the Clean India Mission. The change will come with the changing mindset of the people. Cleaning India is a matter of bureaucratic commitment more than patriotism. And that is not easy as was evident from Bureaucracy Today’s visit to Shastri Bhawan.
The large sprawling building located in the centre of the National Capital houses a number of Union Ministries, including those of Human Resource Development, Law and Justice, Information and Broadcasting, Corporate Affairs, Culture, Women and Child Development, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Chemicals and Fertilizers and Youth Affairs and Sports. Given the significance of the building and the very fact that it is one of the hubs of the top bureaucracy in the country, no one will have any doubt on the cleanliness of the place. But in stark contrast, the premises of the building are virtual dump yards.
THE SLOW PACE OF WORKING
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has bureaucracy failed modi?
the ambitious swachh bharat abhiyaan, which was officially launched on october 2, 2014 amid much fanfare with prime minister narendra modi himself cleaning the road with a broom at rajghat in new delhi, was seen as a harbinger of change which would influence the behaviour of millions of indians who are notoriously known for dumping their wastes in public places. for months, bureaucrats wielding the broom also continued to dominate the media space. however, over two years since the campaign was launched, the cleanliness zeal, it seems, has taken a backseat. a reality check done by bureaucracy today in shastri bhawan in lutyens’ delhi which houses major central ministries indicates that those in the corridors of power are not readying themselves to become part of a new, clean and swanky india.
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