In the recent past our country has witnessed several initiatives of Central as well as State Governments by way of various missions.

We as dutiful citizens happily involved ourselves in each of these. The most prominent and inspirational was ‘Swachchh Bharat’.

From a minister to a grass root level party worker, a big shot to a common man, across every profession, gender, age etc surfaced as volunteers, organically promoting cleanliness across the country.

Photographs and news report flashed with faces or names of various known and unknown personalities picking up the broom in support of the cause.

We got motivated so much so that I myself on various occasions reprimanded when found someone littering any public place.

There were competitions amongst States and towns to secure higher positions in the chart of cleanliness.

We read about our State of Jharkhand also going higher in that ranking. Success of government in declaring the State ODF by constructing numbers of toilets in the remote villages was highly appreciated.

We were happy with the changes and hoped for a beautiful, clean dream town to stay in the near future. Various organisations, schools and colleges organised special initiatives of sweeping the roads, collecting garbage and dumping them in bins to create awareness among public and lead by example.

For sometime now, the swachh tide has subsided and the public is under the impression that we have achieved the goal. But in reality has the situation improved upto the desired level? Are we enjoying better ambience?

While we celebrated the garbage cleaning of prime locations, did we make similar planning for our immediate neighborhood and surrounding? Some of my morning walk observations say something very different.

I am a regular morning walker. Everyday the moment I step out on the road I am greeted with the foul smell arising out of the previous day’s disposable plates and bowls dumped by the number of makeshift eateries who sale ‘gupchups’ to ‘dosas’ to ‘biriyanis’ and so many other items.

I have no problem with these hundreds of hardworking business persons, but I do wonder if the authorities that oversee these businesses of selling eatables have taken into account how the everyday waste they generate should be disposed.

The bins supplied in the name of garbage disposal facility are negligible in comparison to the volume of garb.

I fail to understand how this vital issue is dealt with such indifference by both Municipal Corporation and the sellers? The sight of the filth makes me feel sick every morning. Do we really live in a ‘clean city’?

Similarly, despite the fact that the government has spent a hefty amount in constructing toilets there are people who still prefer to be in their comfort zone, they will do what suits them the most.

To them the logic of hygiene behind such constructions comes later. Recently we visited a renowned religious place around Ranchi in the wee hours of the morning. After puja we thought of going around the temple to have a look at the river flowing at the backside of the temple and got to see people on the other bank of the river blowing up government’s claim of making the State ODF.

Situation is same in residential areas as well. Insufficient number of dustbins in comparison to number of households fails the clealiness drive. At the same time insensitivity of residents, who don’t mind throwing garbage any place outside their homes, prevent the drive from coming to a proper conclusion. Just a few rounds of the lanes and by lanes will show how much we as people really care.

It’s not that real change is not possible. It certainly is but only if all of us give up a little bit on personal conveniences and partake wholeheartedly and enthusiastically in the greater good. It’s time to self introspect.

Maitreyee Hazra is a bank officer in Ranchi and the views expressed in the article are her own