Cleanliness in India: Short Essay on Importance and Practices

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Added: 22.01.2026 at 8:24

Paragraph on Cleanliness

Cleanliness, in its simplest sense, means keeping ourselves and our surroundings free from dirt, waste, and disease-causing agents. For many, it immediately brings to mind images of washing hands, sweeping floors, or throwing rubbish into the dustbin. Yet, cleanliness is much more than just a physical act. It is a habit, a state of mind, and above all, a value embedded in our daily existence. In the Indian context, the importance of cleanliness can be traced back to age-old traditions and proverbs. The famous Sanskrit saying, “Shauch yam moolam dharmah” (“Cleanliness is the root of righteousness”), and Gandhiji’s lifelong emphasis on personal and community hygiene reflect the deep reverence for cleanliness in our culture. Across different regions and religions, cleanliness is inseparable from spirituality, social respect, and health. Whether it is the holy dip in the Ganga before a festival or the ritual cleaning of homes during Diwali, the acknowledgement of purity pervades every aspect of Indian life.

The need for cleanliness is not only a matter of personal choice but a social necessity. It affects the well-being and dignity of individuals, families, and communities. It is often said, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness”, a phrase that has guided generations in India and finds echoes in our literature and even school textbooks. Our ancient texts, like the Manusmriti, treat cleanliness as an essential quality of noble living, and in the modern era, movements like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan have sought to translate these ideals into practical action.

Varieties of Cleanliness: From Self to Society

Beyond the self lies the responsibility of environmental cleanliness. It means ensuring that our homes, classrooms, neighbourhoods, and public areas are kept tidy. For example, the simple act of not littering in school corridors or public parks is part of this effort. Segregation of waste into dry and wet, using dustbins, avoiding the use of plastic, and supporting recycling drives are now being taught not just in school lessons but are becoming part of school activities and competitions. In cities like Indore, which has won the title of India's cleanest city for several years, community-led efforts show the impact organized cleanliness can have. On the other hand, a lack of cleanliness in public spaces can lead not just to health problems but to a decline in social and civic pride.

Sanitation, too, forms a crucial aspect of cleanliness. Access to clean toilets, sanitation facilities, hygienic drinking water, and proper sewage systems remain major challenges, especially in rural areas. The sight of open drains and heaps of uncleared garbage near railway tracks or slums is still too familiar. However, initiatives such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan have made significant strides, promoting toilet construction, improving waste management, and creating awareness on the hazards of open defecation.

Cleanliness: A Habit and a Shared Responsibility

However, cleanliness cannot be a personal pursuit alone. Our Indian social fabric is based on community living, where neighbours, relatives, and even strangers share spaces and resources. Maintaining civic cleanliness requires collective effort—participation in mohalla (community) cleaning drives, following guidelines set by municipal corporations regarding waste disposal, and holding each other accountable for public hygiene. School students in many cities take part in ‘Swachhata Pakhwada’ or fortnight-long cleanliness campaigns, setting examples for adults as well.

As Gandhiji wisely said, “So long as you do not take the broom and the bucket in your hands, you cannot make your towns and cities clean.” This self-driven approach propels both dignity of labour and personal pride. Importantly, extending the benefits of cleanliness to marginalised communities—by ensuring access to clean water or public toilets—reflects a sense of social justice. After all, for India to be healthy, no one can be left behind in the quest for cleanliness.

Holistic Benefits of Cleanliness

Mental well-being is another major benefit. There is a certain psychological comfort and pride that comes from living and studying in a tidy environment. Pupils who keep their desks and schoolbags in order often find it easier to concentrate, just as office-goers are more productive in clutter-free workplaces. Our scriptures refer to ‘Antar Shuddhi’ or internal cleanliness—hinting not just at physical but also emotional cleanliness. Keeping surroundings clean is seen as a reflection and support for a peaceful, uncluttered mind.

There are also significant ecological advantages. When waste is disposed of responsibly—whether by composting, recycling, or using designated landfills—it prevents pollution of rivers, soil, and air. Clean, green surroundings foster biodiversity: trees flourish, birds return, and the overall quality of life improves. As Indian cities grow, a focus on environmental cleanliness becomes vital for sustainable development.

Challenges in Maintaining Cleanliness

Cultural practices, too, can be a hindrance. Sometimes, festivals see an explosion of waste—used puja items, plastic plates, firecracker remains—scattered everywhere. But these challenges are not insurmountable. Solutions begin with education: schools must teach the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of hygiene and encourage students to act as ‘swachhata doots’ or cleanliness ambassadors at home and in society.

Technology can help—mobile apps now connect citizens to municipal waste collection services, and GPS systems track garbage trucks in cities like Mysuru. Policies that reward responsible waste disposal or fine littering individuals are gaining momentum. NGOs like Sulabh International have revolutionised sanitation by constructing millions of toilets, and youth-led volunteer groups routinely organise ‘plogging’ events, picking up litter while jogging.

The Role of Government, Institutions, and Media

Schools are equally important—they must go beyond lesson plans, involving students in actual cleaning and campaigns. As a school prefect once said during a morning assembly in my school, “We cannot be clean in words alone; let us prove it by action.” Practical involvement turns values into habits.

Media has played an effective role—whether in the form of street plays (nukkad natak), advertisements featuring icons like Sachin Tendulkar, or viral videos on Swachh Bharat. They break barriers of language and class to spread the message widely.

Cleanliness in Our Culture and Celebrations

Similar rituals are seen in other faiths—Muslims perform wudu (ablution) before namaz, Sikhs clean Gurudwaras collectively (kar sewa), and Christians hold church cleaning sessions before Christmas. Regular grooming before entering temples and mosques confirms the ancient belief that cleanliness is an offering to the divine.

Conclusion: Towards a Clean and Proud India

Let us all pledge to keep our homes, schools, and streets clean, to speak up for those who lack basic sanitation, and to practice what we preach. A clean India is possible when cleanliness becomes a daily habit, a shared aspiration, and a badge of true patriotism. In the words of Rabindranath Tagore, “Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high... into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.” Cleanliness is the first step towards that awakening and a reflection of the India we wish to build—a nation healthy, harmonious, and proud.