It Happened to Me - Clean India Movement Experience

It Happened to Me

Let me take you back to the date 2nd October 2014. It was the very first year of operation of the newly elected government, which had won with a significant independent majority. The government, especially PM Modi had keenly begun to launch revolutionary initiatives. One of them was ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ or the ‘Clean India Movement.’ The move was enticing for two main reasons. One, it bore the promise of changing the entire exposition of the nation for better and two, it reflected on the need for strengthening our very foundation first. Inspired by the idea and enamored by the prospective positive concomitant, I took a plunge to contribute my bit to the initiative. I decided to embark on the transition right from my home. That day, I called upon every member of the house to take out half an hour from their daily schedule and make sure that they clean up all the mess they create, no matter how small or big the scale may be. My idea was to arouse the feeling of responsibility in people’s hearts so that they connect with the purpose and contribute all that they can to make it a grand success. In the process, I realized that I assumed the role of a leader. Members, both younger and elder, were willing to accept my ideas and work on them. They were convinced that we were all working for a grand purpose and that everyone’s contribution made a difference. Thus, once satisfied with my influential performance at home, I planned to take the plunge to the next level. I decided to increase the area of operation to the whole of my housing society. Thus, I gathered my friends in the neighborhood and asked them to propagate the need and importance of the clean environment to their family members. Once they were convinced on an individual level, we planned to organize community cleaning day once a week which would typically happen on Sundays. We all used to gather together, and I along with my friends used to lead them in the cleaning drive. The impact of our little actions was manifold as we could see the positive outcome right in front of our eyes. Our society looked simply adorned. Everyone around started enquiring about the secret of transformation, and when we elaborated our story, many more came forward and took a similar plunge. Thus, my little initiative and determination to make an impact coupled with the new found leader in me, I was able to make a big difference to the world around me.

...