Gandhi Jayanti: Beyond Swacch Bharat

October 2, Gandhi Jayanti saw people coming out with their brooms and buckets to clean up different localities. Employees of State and Central Government establishments hit the ground to clean up the mess outside their establishments and organised cleaning drives in public spaces. But is a fortnight of observing ‘Swacchta Hi Sewa Hai’ (cleanliness is service) adequate? Clearly this is a short term mission done to comply with the directives from the Prime Minister’s office. After a few days or even a day after the cleaning up, garbage is back in the streets and drains. To observe Gandhi’s birth anniversary by reducing it only to a day for cleanliness is to forget the larger idea of Gandhi. True he was a stickler for cleanliness and even stated that ‘Sanitation is more important than Independence.’ Indeed Gandhi believed that cleanliness is essential for both personal well being and national progress.
However, Gandhi must also be remembered for being an advocate of women’s rights; for eradicating untouchability for promoting peace and equality. Gandhi was known for his acceptance of all faiths and his ability to bring conflicting groups together. He not just believed but practised non-violent means in bringing about social justice. Remembering Gandhi without adhering to his principles is a meaningless pursuit and that indeed is our collective tragedy. Perhaps Gandhi’s strongest message to fellow Indians is, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” This exhortation deserves critical attention. Too many leaders in this country and this State as well, do not practice what they preach and are not exactly the role models that leaders should be. Gandhi was frugal when it came to his own upkeep because his moral compass was never out of place. Today’s leaders believe in ostentatious displays of power and pelf.
October 2 is also the birth anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri, India’s second Prime Minister – a man with a humble approach to leadership and who as India’s Home Minister introduced the first Commission for the Prevention of Corruption. Shastri rejected the caste system and changed his surname from Srivastava to Shastri, a title he got while graduating from the Kashi Vidyapeeth. Shastri provided excellent leadership during the Indo-Pakistan War in 1965 and coined the slogan, “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan.” He believed that soldiers defend the country and farmers are the backbone for food security. It is rather strange that very little is commemorated about Lal Bahadur Shastri who too went to jail during the freedom movement. Now that the activities under the theme, “Swacchta Hi Sewa Hai” have been duly observed, will it also be the end of public commitment to keep their surroundings clean? What would it take for Shillong city and for Meghalaya to attain the level of cleanliness that is expected from the Swacch Bharat Abhiyan? This is what needs serious brainstorming.