Background of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
Cleanliness is a vital aspect of human life, contributing to our overall well-being and the Sustainable Development Goals by the UN help us to achieve the same. In recent years, various organizations and initiatives have been launched to promote cleanliness and raise awareness about its significance. Some of these initiatives are the Sustainable Development Goals issued by the UN and the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, or Clean India Mission, a country-wide campaign initiated by the Government of India in 2014 to eliminate open defecation and improve solid waste management. The program also aims to increase awareness of menstrual health management. It is a restructured version of the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan launched in 2009 that failed to achieve its intended targets.
Phase 1 of the Swachh Bharat Mission lasted till October 2019.
Phase 2 is being implemented between 2020–21 and 2024–25 to help cement the work of Phase 1.
Initiated by the Government of India, the mission aimed to achieve an “Open-Defecation Free” (ODF) India by 2 October 2019, the 150th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi through the construction of toilets. An estimated 89.9 million toilets were built in the period. The objectives of the first phase of the mission also included eradication of manual scavenging, generating awareness and bringing about a behavior change regarding sanitation practices, and augmentation of capacity at the local level.
The second phase of the mission aims to sustain the open defecation-free status and improve the management of solid and liquid waste, while also working to improve the lives of sanitation workers. The mission is aimed at progressing toward target 6.2 of the Sustainable Development Goal Number 6 established by the United States in 2015. By achieving the lowest open defecation-free status in 2019, India achieved its Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.2 health target in record time, eleven years ahead of the UN SDG target of 31 December 2030.
Our Initiative
Keeping the importance of cleanliness in mind, Arise Society in collaboration with Global Hosiery carried out the awareness program on 30th June 2023 i.e., Friday which mainly focused on engaging with the local community, distributing biodegradable bags, encouraging the use of cloth bags in vehicles, and supporting the Swachhta Abhiyan or Clean India Mission.
To initiate the cleanliness activity, we conducted extensive discussions with the local people of District Baran, Rajasthan. These discussions aimed to understand the community’s perceptions, challenges, and aspirations regarding cleanliness. By engaging with the residents, the members of the organization identified vital areas where awareness and action were needed to foster a clean and hygienic environment. Also, with the help of Global Hosiery, we undertook an important step in maintaining an environmentally friendly approach by distributing biodegradable bags. The use of such bags helps reduce plastic waste and its harmful impact on the ecosystem.
The society actively educated the local population about the importance of switching to biodegradable bags and provided them with necessary information on their usage and disposal. To further support the Swachhta Abhiyan or Clean India Mission, our organization encouraged the use of cloth bags in both four-wheeler and two-wheeler vehicles. Many people tend to use plastic bags for carrying groceries or other items while commuting, which leads to increased plastic waste. By placing cloth bags in vehicles, we aimed to instill a habit of using reusable and eco-friendly alternatives. The purpose of this initiation is not only to reduce plastic pollution but also to promote sustainable practices among the local population.
The organization’s cleanliness activity and awareness generation also align with various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined by the United Nations. By collaborating with Global Hosiery, Arise Society demonstrated the power of partnerships between NGOs and private enterprises in addressing societal challenges like cleanliness and environmental preservation. This activity supports some of the SDGs such as Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), Goal 13 (Climate Action), Goal 17 (Partnership for the Goals), and many more.
Goal 3: Good Health & Well-being
Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages. Arise Society’s cleanliness activity and awareness generation in District Baran, Rajasthan, directly contribute to this goal. By promoting cleanliness and hygiene practices, the initiative helps improve public health and well-being in the community. Cleanliness plays a crucial role in preventing the spread of diseases and maintaining a healthy environment. Through discussions with local people, Arise Society identifies the specific challenges and aspirations related to health and hygiene.
By addressing these concerns, society raises awareness about the importance of maintaining cleanliness and adopting good hygiene practices. A clean environment leads to reduced health risks, particularly related to waterborne and communicable diseases. By distributing biodegradable bags and promoting their use, Arise Society contributes to reducing plastic waste that can pollute water sources and cause health hazards. Moreover, the promotion of cloth bags in vehicles encourages responsible consumption and production, which indirectly improves public health by minimizing the use of single-use plastics.
Goal 6: Clean Water & Sanitation
Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) focuses on ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Access to clean water and sanitation facilities is crucial for human health, well-being, and overall sustainable development. Arise Society’s cleanliness activity and awareness generation in District Baran, Rajasthan, directly contribute to Goal 6 by promoting clean water and sanitation practices in the community.
Access to clean water is a significant challenge in many regions, including District Baran. Arise Society recognizes the importance of addressing this issue and actively engages with the local community to raise awareness about the importance of clean water and the need to conserve water resources. Through discussions with local people, we identified the specific water-related challenges faced by the community. This includes issues such as water scarcity, contamination, and inadequate sanitation facilities. By understanding these challenges, society can develop targeted interventions to address them effectively. The promotion of cleanliness and hygiene practices plays a vital role in ensuring access to clean water. By educating the local population about the importance of hygiene, Arise Society aims to prevent waterborne diseases and promote good health. The initiative emphasizes the need for proper waste management, including the responsible disposal of plastic waste, to avoid water pollution and safeguard water sources.
Furthermore, the distribution of biodegradable bags and the promotion of cloth bags in vehicles indirectly contribute to Goal 6 by reducing plastic waste that could potentially contaminate water sources. By minimizing plastic pollution, society helps protect the quality and availability of clean water resources in the community.
In addition to clean water, Goal 6 also highlights the importance of sanitation, access to adequate sanitation facilities is crucial for maintaining public health and dignity. Through its cleanliness activity, society raises awareness about the need for improved sanitation infrastructure and proper hygiene practices. This includes advocating for the construction and use of toilets, promoting handwashing with soap, and addressing issues related to open defecation.
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption & Production
Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) aims to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. Arise Society’s cleanliness activity aligns with this goal by promoting responsible consumption and reducing waste generation. The distribution of biodegradable bags encourages individuals to shift from using single-use plastic bags to environmentally friendly alternatives. By actively engaging with the local community, Arise Society educates them about the impact of excessive consumption and improper waste management. The initiative highlights the need for reducing, reusing, and recycling resources to minimize the ecological footprint. Through these efforts, society fosters a culture of responsible consumption and production, emphasizing the importance of preserving natural resources for future generations.
Goal 13: Climate Action
Goal 13 (Climate Action) focuses on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Arise Society’s cleanliness activity plays a significant role in mitigating climate change by reducing plastic waste. Plastic production and disposal contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, which accelerate climate change. By distributing biodegradable bags and encouraging their usage, society minimizes plastic waste that would otherwise end up in landfills or pollute natural ecosystems. Also, the promotion of cloth bags in vehicles helps reduce the demand for plastic bags, further lowering carbon emissions associated with their production. By fostering environmentally friendly practices, Arise Society contributes to a cleaner and healthier environment, supporting global efforts to combat climate change.
Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) emphasizes the importance of strengthening global partnerships to achieve the SDGs. Arise Society’s collaboration with Global Hosiery exemplifies the significance of such partnerships in addressing societal challenges effectively. By partnering with a private enterprise, Arise Society leverages the resources, expertise, and networks of Global Hosiery to implement the cleanliness activity more efficiently. This partnership ensures the widespread distribution of biodegradable bags and the promotion of cloth bags in vehicles, reaching a larger audience and maximizing the impact of the initiative. Furthermore, the partnership between Arise Society and Global Hosiery showcases the potential for collaboration between non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and private entities in advancing sustainable development. By joining forces, the two organizations contribute to the achievement of multiple SDGs, including Goals 3, 12, and 13, while also setting an example for other partnerships to follow.
This cleanliness activity contributes to societal parameters, including improved public health, enhanced cleanliness infrastructure, and increased environmental consciousness. By raising awareness and actively engaging with the local community, the NGO promoted a sense of ownership and responsibility towards cleanliness, fostering a positive and sustainable change in society.
The awareness generation carried out by Arise Society with the support of Global Hosiery in District Baran, Rajasthan, exemplifies the importance of collective efforts in promoting cleanliness and environmental preservation. By conducting discussions with local people, distributing biodegradable bags, and promoting cloth bags in vehicles, Arise Society addresses the challenges of plastic waste and cultivates sustainable practices in the community. Moreover, this activity aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting the significance of partnerships to achieve societal goals. Through their dedicated endeavors, Arise Society and Global Hosiery contribute to the Swachhta Abhiyan, or Clean India Mission, and the overall well-being of the community, while fostering a cleaner and greener environment for present and future generations.