Page 41 - NIS English 01-15 October, 2025

A New Path to

Prosperity Through

Swachhta

Prosperity in civic life comes from
prosperity, and fulfillment of basic
needs is the first step towards a
prosperous life. About 11 years ago,
60% of the country’s population was
deprived of even toilet facilities. In
such a scenario, a new beginning
was made in 2014, when a call for
cleanliness echoed from the ramparts
of the Red Fort, transforming into
a mass movement. This initiative,
launched on the occasion of Gandhi
Jayanti on October 2, 2014, has today
become a symbol of a three-tiered
impact- not limited to cleanliness
alone, but evolving beyond the initial
step. It has paved the way for a
healthy, empowered citizenry and
stands as an inspiring example of
entrepreneurship, startups, and self-
reliance — turning waste into wealth.

ften, it happens that the success of a so impactful that even a thousand years from now,
scheme is considered complete merely when the 21st century India is studied, the Swachh
upon achieving its objective. As a result, Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission) will surely be
Othe momentum of the scheme slows remembered. Swachh Bharat is the world’s largest
down or comes to a halt. However, it is an unde- and most successful people-driven, people-led
niable truth that when the reins of a scheme are mass movement of this century. If we look at the
taken over by the citizens themselves, its impact is 11-year journey of the Swachh Bharat Mission, it has
not limited to the present generation—it becomes truly become a celebration of the power of public
a subject of study for centuries to come. One such participation. During this journey, the mission has
scheme has become a guiding light not only for the gone beyond merely changing habits or bringing
dignified lives of Indian citizens but also for the path about behavioral shifts. It has played a vital role in
to prosperity. It has transformed into a movement making citizens healthier, driving socio-economic

October 1-15, 2025 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 39