In the last few years, there has been growing awareness about cleanliness in our country. The Swaccha Bharat Abhiyan has been launched on October 2, 2014. As it is about to turn 3 next week, BCCI and Indian cricketers are trying their best to keep the country clean.
During his “Mann ki Baat” address on August 27, 2017 Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the people of India to begin a new cleanliness campaign “Swachhta hi seva” (Cleanliness, the service!) from September 15 to October 2, so that Gandhi Jayanti and 3rd anniversary of Swachha Bharat Mission can be celebrated in a cleaner environment.
During the first innings of Indore ODI, the logo of Swachhta hi Seva campaign flashed on the big screen to spread awareness. In an another photo, Ajinkya Rahane was seen throwing plastic bottles around nets is a dustbin, thereby sending a good message.
https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/911824780541673472
BCCI urged people to contribute towards making the country clean in a tweet, “Join the “Swachhata Hi Seva’ movement and dedicate some time for the cause of #MyCleanIndia”
Last year during the Kolkata test vs New Zealand, Virat Kohli along with then BCCI president Anurag Thakur were seen cleaning the stands after the end of day”s play. That was the first notable instance of BCCI and Indian cricketers promoting cleanliness.
https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/911884089652690944
As per New Economics Foundation Happy Planet Index 2012, India is ranked 32 out of 178 countries with a score of 50.9 out of 100. In Carbon dioxide emissions by countries, India is ranked 8 out of 214 countries in 2010. In Global Environment Performance Index 2014, India is standing on 155. All this shows India has a lot of work to do in terms of cleanliness.
As per Swaccha Bharat Mission Indicator, surprisingly major cities in India like Mumbai and Delhi are ranked low. The Swachha Sarvekshan Rank of Ministry of Urban Development says Indore is the cleanest city in India ranked at No.1. New Delhi, Municipal Corporation, and Navi Mumbai come in at 7 and 8 while major cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Bangalore don”t make it to top 25.
– by Atharva Apte