Cleanliness and G(o)odliness!

A recent international study by Rice University has established a well-known truth. It states that the feelings of disgust associated with an unclean work space might give rise to unethical behaviour. In other words, ethical behaviour can be promoted by keeping the immediate environment clean!

While this further gives an impetus to the much-touted Narendra Modi’s ‘Swacch Bharat Abiyan’, it just reaffirms what traditional sciences like FengShui, Vastu Shastra have delved on since ages - the importance of clearing of clutter to attract good energy.  

If one were to pick up the newspaper and look at most issues which are critical, these rule at any given point – vector-borne illnesses and deaths, garbage disposal and sanitation issues,  health of citizens, social issues like poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, malnutrition. It is tough to overlook the connection between apathy towards the environment and corresponding impact on its surrounding.

While under the Cleanliness Drive initiated by the Prime Minister, many municipal schools and societies across are taking the broom, hardly any program sustains in the long run without a holistic approach. Here the issue, apart from cleaning up mess is to stop generating mess.

Perception plays a key role in changing of behaviour and in turn habits. When a three-year-old sees his/her father or mother littering, or observes cleaning the house is the maid's cross to bear, How many such adults are going to own up to the mess accumulated outside one’s house? Much of this is due to apathy and ignorance.

It’s time the government started environmental education in schools and preschools. There needs to be a separate subject dealing in environmental education and separate project. Let alone need-of-the-hour initiatives as garbage recycling, garbage segregation, water conservation which goes a long way in preserving the environment, we need to sensitise people about the effects of inappropriate disposal of waste.  

Throughout the regular cleanliness drives we take, the most crucial ones forming the base, is the environmental awareness we induce in our tots. You will be surprised to know how receptive and conscientious a toddler can be. We have had parents share with us how their three-four year olds patronise them for a minor oversight – leaving the tap open while brushing teeth or throwing a wrapper out of the car or spitting gum on the road.  These young children serve as the best mirrors to the parents. Reflecting truth, not deflecting it. 

It is habits that form a society and also define it.  It’s hardly any rocket science that no good can come out of unhygienic, filthy and mauled environments. Neither a human being nor an animal deserves to dwell in such spaces.  

Cleanliness is G(o)odliness.