Latest news with #SwachhBharatAbhiyan
Indian Express
2 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
Chandigarh's ‘slum-free' claim: The real clean-up begins now
Written by RK Saboo As Swachh Bharat Abhiyan powers into its ambitious second phase, Chandigarh basks in the glory of being India's first officially 'slum-free' city. But beyond the spotless roads and freshly scrubbed reputation, the real question lingers: has the city truly lifted its most vulnerable residents into lives of dignity, safety and opportunity? Slum removal, after all, should not be the end of the story. It must mark the start of a new chapter — one where displaced families are not just shifted out but moved up, with better housing, education and prospects. Equally overlooked are the city's street vendors, who form its bustling, beating heart. Cleanliness drives, fines and mandatory registrations may tick the bureaucratic boxes, but without inclusive policies and alternate spaces for vendors to earn their livelihood, the city risks sweeping away their means of survival. Launched in October 2014 by the Prime Minister, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan began as a government programme but soon morphed into a people's movement. Chandigarh's slum-free status shines as a rare success story — proof of what determined planning, political will and citizen participation can deliver. Yet for the mission to ring true, every displaced family must feel part of that success. The larger Swachh Bharat journey has seen India achieve near-universal ODF (open defecation free) coverage in rural areas, while urban India is now tasked with becoming garbage-free and scientifically waste-managed by 2026. GPS-enabled apps like Swachhata are tightening transparency, and cities like Indore continue to lead the cleanliness rankings, powered by civic pride and innovation. For me, the mission is deeply personal. It was at the 2014 Chennai Rotary Institute that I led a dedicated Swachh Bharat session, culminating in the Chennai Declaration — a pledge to champion hygiene, dignity and cleanliness. Back home in Chandigarh, our small steps — office cleanliness drives — sparked ripples. Neighbouring offices joined in, schools followed, and children were inspired by stories of Japanese classrooms where students clean their own spaces with pride. Soon, the movement spilled onto the streets. Rotarian Salil Chopra and a determined band of Rotarians and Rotaractors hit the lanes, markets and pavements, armed with brooms, slogans and a simple message: cleanliness is everyone's responsibility. Human chains and striking visuals drew the public in; change became visible. Now, as Chandigarh transitions from a structurally planned city to a socially conscious, green city, the challenge deepens. Are the slum dwellers who were uprooted now living better, healthier lives? The real test of a 'slum-free' city is not the absence of jhuggis, but the presence of dignity for its poorest citizens. Urban development is more than sweeping away shanties; it's about ensuring every rehabilitated family lives in safety and hope. If Chandigarh can answer that question honestly, it may well lead India toward the ultimate vision of a Swasth Bharat, Sundar Bharat and Saksham Bharat — a nation that is not just clean, but caring, modern and humane. (RK Saboo is a former Rotary International president and a long-time advocate of civic responsibility and social development.)
Hans India
3 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
Welfare package announced for sanitation workers
Welfare package announced for sanitation workers OdishaChief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday announced a life insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh for sanitation workers, and a compensation of Rs 30 lakh if they lose their lives on duty. Majhi made the announcement after inaugurating a two-day national workshop on 'Transforming Core Sanitation Work -- Safety, Dignity & Inclusion', organised by the Housing and Urban Development department of the Odisha government. 'It is our moral responsibility to provide sanitation workers justice, safety and dignity,' he said, addressing the programme. 'Key sanitation workers, mostly engaged in cleaning sewage and septic tanks, will be provided with life insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh, assistance of Rs 30 lakh for loss of life in the field,' he said. They will also be given mobile phones and allotted houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban), he added. Majhi said a 15-day Statewide campaign will be held from August 15 to make sanitation workers aware of the benefits. He said the Jagannath culture also spreads the message of cleanliness. The Chef Minister said the Odisha government's social welfare scheme for sanitation workers, Garima Yojana, has been an inspiration for many States. He said more than 10,000 sanitation workers from 115 cities and towns of the State have been identified for the benefits. 'Today's workshop is an important platform. From this platform, sanitation workers from different States can learn a lot from each other's experiences,' he said. Representatives of seven States were participating in it. On this occasion, the Chief Minister inaugurated an exhibition of modern equipment related to sanitation work. He also felicitated some sanitation workers. Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, Majhi said it was Modi who launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan on August 15, 2014, envisioning sanitation in every household as a prerequisite for India's social and economic development.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
MP: Burhanpur's Biroda village sets example, vows to go plastic-free
Burhanpur: In a remarkable step towards environmental sustainability, Biroda village in Madhya Pradesh's Burhanpur district on Friday has launched a bold campaign to become a plastic-free village. Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Swachh Bharat Mission, the village leadership, including the Sarpanch, Deputy Sarpanch, Secretary, and other public representatives, has united to take a pledge to rid the village of plastic. This grassroots initiative arrives at a time when Indore has once again been crowned the cleanest city in India for the eighth consecutive year—an achievement that has fueled aspirations in villages like Biroda. To turn their vision into reality, the Panchayat has kicked off an intensive public awareness campaign. Panchayat members are visiting households and educating villagers on the environmental and health hazards posed by plastic. The message is clear - that plastic pollutes land, water, and air, and poses serious long-term risks to human health. School students have taken an active role in this mission, conducting rallies and awareness drives across the village. Chanting slogans and carrying placards, the children are encouraging their elders to adopt eco-friendly habits and alternatives. The response from villagers has been overwhelmingly positive. Residents are voluntarily giving up plastic products and embracing sustainable alternatives such as cloth and jute bags. With increasing participation, the campaign is swiftly evolving into a mass movement. If this momentum continues, Biroda could soon become a model for other villages across the state and the country. Talking to IANS, Pradeep Mali, Deputy Sarpanch of Biroda, said: "I was inspired by PM Modi's Swachhata Abhiyan. If Indore can become the cleanest city, why not Biroda? We've pledged to make our village free of plastic and the cleanest in the region. The community is actively participating. Our team collects waste twice a day and has instructed all shopkeepers to keep dustbins outside their shops." Akshara Rajendra Sonawane, a student from the local school, said: "We are raising awareness about the dangers of plastic and encouraging people to keep their surroundings clean. Everyone here is taking part in the mission." Sandeep Chaudhary, a school teacher, added: "PM Modi's cleanliness drive has truly inspired us. We are committed to supporting this movement in every way possible." The seeds of this transformation were sown on October 2, 2014, when the Swachh Bharat Mission was launched as a national movement to achieve a Clean India by October 2, 2019. The campaign was marked by a historic cleanliness pledge led by Prime Minister Modi at India Gate, joined by nearly 30 lakh government employees nationwide. The Prime Minister had even joined a walkathon at Rajpath, walking shoulder to shoulder with citizens. Today, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has become a Jan Andolan—a people's movement. Citizens across India have embraced the mission, taking to the streets with brooms, cleaning public spaces, and promoting hygiene and sanitation.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Reimagining the urban future
The past few monsoons have revealed the disquieting inadequacy of urban planning and infrastructure in India. This season, the cities in the National Capital Region, for instance, are struggling to function after intense rainfall, thanks to clogged drains and construction that disregards topography. In summer, many cities report heat deaths and crippling water shortages. Against this backdrop, the findings of the World Bank's Towards Resilient and Prosperous Cities in India report should be a wake-up call. To blunt the triple threat of flooding, water scarcity, and heat, India's urban centres need a minimum investment of $2.4 trillion by 2050, the report estimates. While investments in the urban sector have been scaled up through initiatives such as AMRUT, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the PM-AWAS Yojana, and the recently concluded Smart Cities Mission, there is still a huge gap. And to make the most of even the available funds, city administrations need adequate capacity to prepare impactful projects, ensure proper implementation, and monitor their effectiveness in the long-run. The problem of capacities runs deeper than just the ability to spend funds. What cities lack is the ability to raise finances — even basic user charges for municipal services and taxes are not adequately collected. To employ innovative instruments such as green municipal bonds or getting the private sector to partner in building the climate resilience would require city administrations to set their house in order. More importantly, power and finances need to be adequately devolved to urban local bodies. To that end, executive and political imagination needs to be unlocked to suit the future needs. These findings outline the challenges — financial, environmental, and administrative — that lie ahead. Without adequate spending on climate adaptation infrastructure — better drainage, architecture that reduces the need for cooling and lighting — an urban crisis looms. For instance, heat mitigation measures can save up to 130,000 lives and increase the GDP by 0.4% a year, against the backdrop of exposure to dangerous heat stress having doubled between 1983-1990 and 2010-2016 in 10 of India's largest cities. Similarly, losses from pluvial flooding could worsen without regular upkeep and upgrades of the drainage system. All this calls for urgent municipal action, especially since India's urban population is expected to rise from 480 million in 2020 to 950 million by 2050. That only half the infrastructure needed to support the growth in urban population has been built (as the report says) is both a challenge and an opportunity. The report's recommendation that a dedicated national urban resilience programme be developed along with a financing strategy needs a close look.
NDTV
7 days ago
- General
- NDTV
Anand Mahindra Shares Video Of 88-Year-Old Retired Police Officer Cleaning Chandigarh Streets: "Salute"
Industrialist Anand Mahindra shared an inspiring video of 88-year-old retired IPS officer Inderjit Singh Sidhu, who is spearheading a cleanliness initiative in Chandigarh. The video shows Mr Sidhu pushing a cycle cart through the streets of Chandigarh's Sector 49, quietly collecting trash and keeping his community clean. Mr Sidhu, a 1964-batch IPS officer, starts his day at 6 am, selflessly collecting garbage without seeking praise or recognition, inspiring admiration from internet users. Mr Mahindra added that the ex-cop was motivated by Chandigarh's low ranking in the Swachh Survekshan listing, but instead of complaining, he took action. Sharing the video on X, Mr Mahindra said, 'Apparently, every morning at 6 AM, in the quiet streets of Chandigarh's Sector 49, this 88-year-old retired police officer begins his day in service. Armed with nothing but a cycle cart and an unwavering sense of duty, he moves slowly and purposefully, picking up rubbish from the roadside. He says he wasn't happy with the 'low rank' Chandigarh got in the Swachh Survekshan listing. But instead of complaining, he chooses action. Watch the video here: This clip which was shared with me is about Shri Inder Jit Singh Sidhu of Chandigarh. Apparently, every morning at 6 AM, in the quiet streets of Chandigarh's sector 49, this 88-year-old retired police officer begins his day in service. Armed with nothing but a cycle cart and… — anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) July 22, 2025 "Each piece of trash he clears is more than just litter removed. It's a statement. A quiet, persistent belief in a better world. A belief in living with meaning, regardless of age or recognition. In a world often obsessed with youth and speed, his slow but steady footsteps tell us that Purpose doesn't retire. Service doesn't age. A Salute to this quiet warrior of the streets," Mr Mahindra added. Social media users widely praised Mr Sidhu's dedication, hailing him as a true embodiment of the Swachh Bharat spirit. One user wrote, "Such a powerful example. Real change doesn't need power or position—just heart and consistency. Big respect to him." Another commented, "Setting an example! Urging everyone in Chandigarh to reach Sector 49 every morning to join him for one week and then continue in their surroundings! Can we have 80 Cr free ration people cleaning their surroundings as consideration." A third said, "He deserves to be the face of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan." A fourth added, "This moved me. 88 and still serving - not out of duty, but belief. No spotlight needed, just a cart and quiet resolve. We need more such heroes, less hollow slogans." Yet another wrote, "Purpose doesn't need applause. It needs dust, sweat, and man carries more discipline than an entire city plan."
