Here's How Swachh Bharat Mission Can Become A People's Movement

Scholars of modern Indian history and the struggle for the country's independence largely cite lack of public participation as a reason for the failure of the second phase of the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1931. The common man's unwillingness to join the movement resulted in the failure of a mission that was a national cause. It is in this context that we must examine the merits of the current government's attempts to make its Swachh Bharat Mission a people's movement.

To garner public support and participation, the government is inviting suggestion from local bodies, educational institutes and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on ensuring Clean India is a people's mission.

Recently, at a workshop organised by the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) in partnership with Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) , a number of steps were suggested to increase people's involvement in the mission. These included:

Decision-making: Developing a new set of rules for engaging communities. While they should be made part of the decision-making processes, meeting community expectations would be an important way to sustain their input.

The ICE tools: Using information, communication and education (ICE) as triggering tools to create awareness. The government, the media, religious leaders, community institutions, think-tanks and other key influencers should use these tools to spread the movement.

Partners: Workers of health departments, schoolchildren and community volunteers, NGOs could be made the implementing partners.

Incentives: Awards, payments and other incentives will encourage better participation.

Goal-oriented approach: Setting up of short-term initiatives with long-term goals could be an effective way to bring the common man on board. Unless things affect us on a personal level, we do not tend to change them. Indians who opposed the fight for the country's independence did not see any personal harm if the British ruled. It is at this level that the government has to create a connect; the Clean India Mission would only be a success if it becomes a personal movement for every countryman. It is not for his love for the prime minister or his political leaning based on which the common man would not litter; only his personal choice would decide that he holds on to trash till he spots a trash can to dispose of it.