Seven years ago on 2nd October 2014, the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was launched across the country amidst much fanfare. High expectations were raised but the cleanliness drive has however remained a mere paper tiger with the campaign miserably faltering while crores have been poured down the drain only promoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP. The drive to ensure cleanliness and sanitation has to be a people’s movement and not a political one.
Even in a tiny State like Goa it has been a total failure as garbage continues to be mounting and accumulated all over. Even the capital city Panaji is festering with dirt galore. The situation is only worsening by the day and the lack of sanitation and hygiene being a matter of concern.
Those crores of rupees squandered by the Government on that media blitz for this campaign would have brought smiles and cheers to the poor and downtrodden if all that money was instead judiciously spent for their upliftment.
Under the guise of Swachh Bharat what has infact been cleaned over the years is only the State coffers in what has been a criminal siphoning of public funds.
