As India honors Mahatma Gandhi’s timeless call for a cleaner nation on Gandhi Jayanti, the city of Indore proudly stands as a beacon, having consistently earned the title of India’s cleanest city for seven years running. This remarkable achievement prompts a crucial question: How effectively has this vision of ‘Swachhata’ (cleanliness) been woven into the very fabric of Indore’s schools, shaping the young minds who will carry this legacy forward? While the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has undeniably boosted public awareness, a closer examination reveals that truly integrating this ethos into school curricula and daily student life remains an ongoing and somewhat inconsistent endeavor.
Introduced in 2014, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan aimed to revolutionize India’s approach to sanitation and waste management. Indore has emerged as a shining example, rightfully earning its moniker as the ‘cleanliness capital.’ The city’s success isn’t just accidental; it’s a testament to a strategic blend of stringent municipal regulations, active citizen involvement, and widespread community initiatives. These efforts have collectively fostered a systematic culture of cleanliness, moving beyond mere awareness to establish civic duty as a fundamental aspect of daily life.
The secret to Indore’s immaculate status lies in its innovative yet disciplined approach, driven by extensive awareness campaigns spanning markets, residential areas, and critically, schools. However, the level of integration varies. For instance, at Shishukunj International School, a leading co-educational day school in Madhya Pradesh, cleanliness is largely addressed under the umbrella of general social responsibility, rather than through structured academic programs. Anshu Jain, a parent of a Class 7 student, notes, “While there are frequent discussions at school about keeping public spaces clean and avoiding litter, there aren’t specific curriculum modules or dedicated activities focused solely on the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. It’s more about general civic behavior.”
In contrast, other institutions are making more deliberate strides to incorporate cleanliness into their educational framework. At Delhi Public School (DPS) Indore, another top-tier co-educational institution, Social Studies teacher and department coordinator, Rahela Ahmed, explains, “We integrate Swachh Bharat Abhiyan into our Class 6 ‘Value of Work’ chapter. Students actively participate in related activities, ensuring a practical understanding of the mission’s principles.”
Ms. Ahmed vividly remembers an impactful event where Class 3 students organized a rally. “Children crafted posters, some even dressed as plastic bottles or garbage bins, and actively collected litter within the school premises. This was all to raise awareness about the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan,” she recounts. She firmly believes that as a vital national mission, Swachh Bharat cannot be overlooked. “Even if it’s not explicitly in textbooks, it’s crucial for children to learn the practical value of cleanliness,” she emphasizes.
On the administrative front, the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) confirms its consistent engagement with educational institutions, especially during periods leading up to the Swachh Survekshan surveys. Sandeep Patodi, the Chief Health Officer, elaborates that IMC teams regularly visit schools and coaching centers to conduct awareness sessions. “We highlight how Indore’s consistent top ranking is a result of collective action, and we urge students to adopt these habits – maintaining clean roads and homes, and practicing waste segregation – in their daily lives,” he states.
These interactive sessions are designed to be highly practical, covering topics like appropriate dustbin usage, the importance of avoiding litter, and correct disposal methods for everyday waste. Beyond mere classroom talks, the IMC takes learning a step further by arranging educational visits to the city’s trenching ground, allowing student groups to witness firsthand the large-scale processes of waste segregation and processing.
The commitment to cleanliness isn’t confined to educational institutions; it’s visibly woven into the urban fabric itself. Indore’s footpaths and various walls are adorned with vibrant paintings, serving as a constant visual reminder from the IMC to citizens about maintaining cleanliness in public areas. Moreover, similar awareness initiatives are actively implemented in corporate offices, hospitals, and other public and private institutions, guaranteeing that the message of ‘swachhata’ resonates and is consistently reinforced across diverse community settings.
Latest UDISE+ 2024-25 data reveals impressive strides in sanitation across Madhya Pradesh, with over 99% of schools now equipped with separate functional toilets for both girls and boys. Despite this progress, challenges persist, particularly concerning handwashing facilities and the consistent adoption of daily hygiene practices. This is especially evident in rural and semi-urban schools, where impactful, but often isolated, events like Gandhi Jayanti or Swachhta Pakhwada celebrations tend to replace sustained, year-round engagement.
As Indore basks in the well-deserved national spotlight for its exemplary cleanliness on this Gandhi Jayanti, many educators passionately reiterate that the true foundation of this movement must be laid within school classrooms. The city’s educational landscape, while showcasing commendable progress, also highlights the ongoing hurdles. Ultimately, the aspirational journey towards a truly clean India will undoubtedly be shaped by the habits and values instilled in its youngest citizens, starting right in their school years.