🌱 What Happened
With a vision to provide a clean and healthy environment, the Government of India launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission) on October 2, 2014. The mission aimed to eliminate open defecation and promote cleanliness, hygiene, and waste management across the nation.
💡 Impact
The initiative had a massive impact on the nation’s cleanliness and sanitation. Independent assessments have reported an increase in the rural sanitation coverage from 38.70% in 2014 to an impressive 100% in 2019. In addition, the mission has constructed over 110 million toilets across the country, dramatically reducing the risks associated with public defecation.
- The World Health Organization estimated that the efforts could save over 300,000 lives by preventing waterborne diseases.
- Under the same mission, 4,378 cities have been declared open defecation free (ODF).
- Efforts are now being focused on maintaining the ODF status and managing solid and liquid waste.
📍 The Bigger Picture
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan indicates that collective efforts towards cleanliness can result in significant health, economic, and social benefits. The mission has not only improved the cleanliness of the country but also instilled a sense of responsibility among the citizens towards maintaining sanitation.
It’s a great example of how good governance and community participation can bring about large-scale transformation. More importantly, it has set a positive precedent for other countries battling similar issues.
Let’s pledge to keep our surroundings clean and contribute to a healthier and greener future! For more information, visit the official Swachh Bharat website.