We have all heard the cliché “Cleanliness is next to godliness” but what does it really mean? It could mean different things to different people but the common understanding is that people have a moral duty to keep themselves and their surroundings clean. Being morally duty bound, we organize cleanliness drives from time to time. This demonstrates that we do understand the importance of cleanliness, of keeping our surroundings and the environment clean. Yet, somehow, our town is not as clean as it ought to be. Perhaps, it is time to rethink our cleanliness initiatives and do things differently.
The cleanliness drive organized by Marepkong Youth Association on Saturday morning is a laudable initiative. What is even more heartwarming is that more than 150 youngsters participated in the voluntary exercise. Young people in good numbers coming together to clean the town is good on three counts. First, they picked the litter and cleaned the town. Second, those who have seen them cleaning the town must have learned a lesson or two, hopefully. Third, and most important, the young volunteers who engaged themselves in the cleanliness drive will have now understood the importance of cleanliness. Participation in cleanliness drives is more important than the cleaning itself. Participating in cleanliness drives inculcates a sense of ownership in the minds of the participants. It may even influence lifestyle changes among the participants. This is the primary reason why cleanliness drives are organized.
Cleanliness is a habit and not an act. Apart from highlighting the issue, cleanliness drives builds champions and brings to focus the tasks at hand. Organizing a cleanliness drive should not be merely an act, as genuine as it may be. The end goal of organizing cleanliness drives is for the participants to internalize and inculcate in themselves the idea of cleanliness as a matter of habit and routine. The end goal should be to induce behavioral change. Cleaning a street, a drain or a locality only to be dirtied again is not the point. Of course, cleaning them is also important but the focus should be on ingraining the idea of cleanliness in the minds of the participants.
We have the various Ward and Village authorities organizing cleanliness drives from time to time, often as a mandatory exercise if not a customary practice. Next time, how about we do it a little differently and call only those who are willing participants? It may be more challenging but it will definitely be more effective.