Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: 10 Simple Lines About India's Cleanliness Drive
This work has been verified by our teacher: 31.01.2026 at 14:48
Type of homework: Essay Writing
Added: 30.01.2026 at 12:25
Summary:
Discover 10 simple lines on Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to understand India’s cleanliness drive, its goals, impact, and why sanitation matters for all students. 🧹
10 Lines on Swachh Bharat Abhiyan – A Comprehensive Perspective
Cleanliness is not just a matter of hygiene, but a deep-rooted symbol of civilization and respect for one’s surroundings. In India, the concept of *'swachhta'* (cleanliness) holds a special place, embedded both in spiritual beliefs and daily customs. Ancient texts such as the Rig Veda underscore the importance of purity, not just of body but also of mind and environment. Even in contemporary society, rituals like washing hands and feet before entering a house or temple highlight our inherited reverence for being clean. Yet, despite such a legacy, for decades the country struggled with widespread sanitation problems: open defecation, uncollected garbage, and poor public hygiene, leading to severe health and dignity concerns. Against this backdrop, the launch of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) in 2014 marked a defining moment. This essay explores the origins, objectives, implementation, achievements, criticisms, and the way forward for this transformative campaign that strives to make India a cleaner and healthier nation.
Historical Background and Context
Sanitation in India before 2014 painted a grim picture. Open defecation was a prevalent sight, especially in rural India and urban slums, not due to lack of knowledge but often due to social taboos and absence of basic facilities. According to UNICEF and government data, nearly half of India’s population did not have access to toilets as recently as 2011. This resulted in rampant outbreaks of diseases like diarrhoea, cholera, and typhoid — with children and women suffering the most. The indignity and danger faced by women, who had to wait till dusk to relieve themselves, was a matter of both concern and shame.The Mahatma himself spoke extensively about cleanliness, declaring that *“Sanitation is more important than independence.”* During India’s freedom struggle, Gandhi’s focus on personal and communal hygiene was legendary; he not only propagated these ideas but demonstrated them by personally cleaning his surroundings, breaking societal hierarchies of ‘clean’ and ‘unclean’ work. However, post-Independence, most cleanliness schemes failed to make an impact due to piecemeal planning and lack of mass mobilisation.
Launch of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
It was on 2nd October 2014, the birth anniversary of Gandhiji, that Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan from Rajghat, Delhi, invoking the Mahatma’s dream of a clean India. The timing and location were highly symbolic; it was a clarion call to convert individual action into a national movement. The PM himself wielded a broom at the launch, setting an example that cleanliness must not be seen as someone else’s job.The campaign was bold in its vision—aiming to make India “Open Defecation Free” (ODF) by 2nd October 2019, which marked the 150th birth anniversary of Gandhi. The slogan “Satyagrah se Swachhagrah” was coined, transforming the idea of peaceful protest into a mass drive for cleanliness. Swachh Bharat was not confined to rural or urban boundaries—its scope covered every village, district, city, and metro in the country, making it truly inclusive.
Objectives and Goals of the Campaign
The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan had both concrete and intangible objectives. Foremost among them was the construction of functional toilets in every household, especially in rural areas and urban settlements where open defecation was the norm. With this, the intent was not just to build infrastructure but to nurture habit changes: adopting regular hand-washing, safe disposal of waste, and keeping streets, schools, markets, and hospitals free from litter.Another core goal was to reduce health risks posed by unsanitary habits. With India having one of the highest rates of child mortality due to diarrhoeal diseases, improving sanitation was a direct way to save lives. The campaign also aimed to instil the practice of waste segregation, promoting wet and dry waste distinction, and encouraging recycling—aligning with global Sustainable Development Goals (particularly Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation).
Importantly, the campaign sought to awaken the civic sense of every citizen—appealing to their conscience, pride, and duty.
Implementation Strategy
The scale of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan necessitated a robust framework. The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation handled rural programmes, while the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs took charge in urban settings. Centre and states worked in tandem with local panchayats and municipalities.One key motivator was the provision of financial incentives: the government provided up to ₹12,000 per household to build toilets, ensuring even the poorest could participate. Additional funding from organisations like the World Bank gave further boost. The private sector and NGOs were roped in for technological support, behaviour change interventions, and audits.
Public figures played a significant role in advocating the cause. Film actors like Amitabh Bachchan, sportspersons such as Sachin Tendulkar, and comedians like Kapil Sharma were made ‘Swachhata Ambassadors,’ leveraging their influence for mass awareness. Special initiatives like ‘Swachh Vidyalaya’ targeted school sanitation, emphasising the need for water, toilets, and hygiene facilities for both boys and girls.
Public Participation and Community Involvement
One of the main pillars of Swachh Bharat’s strategy was people’s participation. The campaign inspired lakhs of students, NSS volunteers, and youth groups to conduct rallies, wall paintings, nukkad nataks (street plays), and cleanliness drives. The idea was to shift mindsets, making cleanliness a ‘people’s movement’ rather than a mere government directive.Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) became popular, encouraging entire villages to declare themselves ODF through collective action. Success stories abound—like Nadia district in West Bengal or villages in Maharashtra, where unified efforts achieved the feat of 100% toilet use. Yet, the journey was not without difficulties; deep-seated customs and initial resistance required persistent sensitisation and patience.
Achievements and Impact
By 2019, the government claimed that more than 10 crore toilets had been built nation-wide. Over 6 lakh villages and hundreds of urban wards were declared ODF. The National Family Health Survey data revealed a noticeable reduction in open defecation levels, and UNICEF studies reported dips in water-related diseases in ODF zones. The sight of cleaner ghats in cities like Varanasi and increased tourist satisfaction indicated broader benefits.Schools, too, showed improvement in attendance of girl students—a testament to the power of sanitary infrastructure. On an international scale, the campaign bolstered India’s image as a country determined to shed age-old habits and embrace progress, helping towards achievements of the UN’s sustainable goals.
Challenges and Criticism
Like any vast mission, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was not without flaws. Some journalists and NGOs questioned the accuracy of ODF declarations, alleging cases of underreporting and forced construction of toilets without corresponding behavioural change. Maintenance of built facilities emerged as a major concern—many toilets lacked water supply or regular cleaning, leading to their abandonment.Urban waste management remained a mountain to climb; mounds of garbage, poor segregation practices, and plastic waste continued to plague many cities. Critics warned that unless these issues are addressed holistically, the achievements might not sustain. There were also calls for greater focus on the needs of marginalised communities, including manual scavengers, who still face harsh working conditions.
Future Directions and Suggestions
To truly realise the dream of a Swachh Bharat, efforts must shift towards ensuring long-lasting behaviour change. Education can play a pivotal role; school and college curricula should integrate sanitation, waste management, and environmental stewardship as everyday values. Robust waste collection and recycling mechanisms are needed, alongside punishment for littering and incentives for cleanliness.Community ownership—as was seen in the best-performing villages—should be encouraged everywhere. Monitoring and real-time data collection via mobile apps and digital dashboards can increase accountability. The private sector, through CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), should invest in both technology and awareness measures. Urban planning must factor in solid waste management and public hygiene as central priorities.
Conclusion
The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has been a unique, large-scale initiative—a blend of infrastructure building, public participation, and cultural revival. It addressed challenges deeply entrenched in the nation and offered a road-map towards a healthier, more dignified future, echoing Gandhiji’s call for inner and outer cleanliness.While the campaign has achieved significant progress and boosted national pride, it is imperative to recognise the hurdles that remain and work collectively towards overcoming them. Ultimately, Swachh Bharat is not merely a project—it is an ongoing commitment. Each of us, as responsible citizens, must carry forward the torch, ensuring our homes, schools, workplaces, and public spaces remain clean. Only then can we envision an India where cleanliness is not the exception but the norm—a true homage to our heritage and a gift to future generations.
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Additional Tips for Students Writing on This Topic
- Support your answers with recent statistics and sources like the Ministry of Jal Shakti or UNICEF India for credibility. - Real-life examples, such as visits to ODF villages or participation in school cleanliness drives, add a personal touch. - Highlight that lasting cleanliness comes from habit, not just rules or infrastructure. - Maintain a hopeful tone, acknowledging challenges while appreciating the progress made. - Connect Swachh Bharat’s themes to health, women’s dignity, and environmental conservation for a more holistic view.---
*“A clean India would be the best tribute India could pay to Mahatma Gandhi when we celebrate his 150th birth anniversary.”* With this in mind, let us all play our parts in keeping our Bharat truly swachh.
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