Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA), launched on October 2, 2014, on the 145th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, represents India’s largest ever cleanliness drive. Rooted in Gandhi’s vision of a clean India, the mission aimed to achieve universal sanitation coverage, improve solid waste management, and promote hygiene awareness. While India has witnessed numerous sanitation initiatives since independence, the SBA distinguishes itself through its scale, national focus, and emphasis on behavioral change. This commentary will assess the SBA’s significance, examining its achievements, shortcomings, and overall impact on India’s cleanliness landscape.
Historical Context and Preceding Initiatives
Prior to the SBA, India’s sanitation efforts were fragmented and lacked the necessary impetus. The Central Rural Sanitation Programme (CRSP) launched in 1986, and later the Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) in 1999, aimed to improve sanitation coverage but faced challenges like inadequate funding, lack of community participation, and insufficient focus on sustainability. These programs achieved limited success, with sanitation coverage remaining stubbornly low. According to the World Bank (2011), India accounted for nearly 60% of the world’s open defecation.
Key Components of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
The SBA comprised two sub-missions:
- Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Gramin): Focused on improving sanitation in rural areas, primarily through the construction of household toilets.
- Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Urban): Aimed at improving sanitation in urban areas, including solid waste management, construction of public and community toilets, and promoting awareness.
The mission adopted a multi-pronged approach, including:
- Incentives for toilet construction: Financial assistance was provided to households for building toilets.
- Behavioral Change Communication (BCC): Extensive campaigns were launched to promote hygiene practices and discourage open defecation.
- Capacity building: Training programs were conducted for sanitation workers and local officials.
- Monitoring and evaluation: Regular monitoring was undertaken to track progress and identify challenges.
Achievements of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
The SBA has demonstrably achieved significant progress in sanitation coverage:
- Rural Sanitation: As of December 2023, India was declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) by the government. Over 110 million toilets were constructed under the SBA (Gramin).
- Urban Sanitation: Significant improvements were made in solid waste management, with increased waste collection and processing rates.
- Behavioral Change: The SBA successfully raised awareness about the importance of sanitation and hygiene, leading to a shift in attitudes and practices.
The impact extends beyond sanitation. Studies suggest a correlation between improved sanitation and reduced incidence of diarrheal diseases, particularly among children. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019-21) shows a decline in child mortality rates in states with high sanitation coverage.
Challenges and Shortcomings
Despite its successes, the SBA faced several challenges:
- Sustainability: Maintaining ODF status and ensuring the long-term functionality of toilets remains a concern.
- Solid Waste Management: While progress has been made, solid waste management continues to be a major challenge, particularly in urban areas.
- Water Availability: The construction of toilets without adequate water supply can hinder their effective use.
- Social Inclusion: Ensuring equitable access to sanitation facilities for marginalized communities remains a priority.
- Data Verification: Concerns have been raised about the accuracy of ODF data and the potential for inflated claims.
Comparative Analysis: SBA vs. Previous Initiatives
| Feature | Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) | Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) |
|---|---|---|
| Scale | Localized, fragmented | National, comprehensive |
| Focus | Construction of toilets | Construction of toilets, SWM, behavioral change |
| Funding | Limited | Substantially increased |
| Political Will | Moderate | Strong, high-level political commitment |
| Monitoring | Weak | Robust, technology-driven |
Impact on Governance and Public Administration
The SBA fostered a greater focus on sanitation within the government machinery. It promoted inter-departmental coordination and encouraged community participation. The use of technology, such as the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) app for monitoring progress, enhanced transparency and accountability. The mission also highlighted the importance of decentralized planning and local ownership.
Conclusion
The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan undeniably represents the most significant cleanliness campaign undertaken by the Government of India. Its scale, political commitment, and focus on behavioral change have yielded substantial improvements in sanitation coverage and hygiene awareness. However, sustaining these gains, addressing the challenges related to solid waste management and water availability, and ensuring social inclusion are crucial for realizing the mission’s full potential. The SBA serves as a valuable lesson in the power of large-scale, nationally coordinated initiatives to address complex social and environmental challenges, but continued vigilance and investment are essential for long-term success.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.