Many people are aware of the saying ‘Cleanliness is next to Godliness’, but few are those who practice it. Cleanliness cannot be imposed on anyone it should be born from within. Neither can it be infused overnight but should be nurtured from childhood for life. What makes me write this, just yesterday early morning I had gone to Dabolim International Airport to receive my brother. As usual the Air India flight got delayed and being morning I started getting uneasy due to my gastro-colic reflex. I was hoping against hope that it may subside but never it did. I was nervous and did not know what to do but I had the presence of mind as the sixth sense came into play.
Near the Arrival Exit 2 there was a stall, I gently asked the person whether there is a toilet outside. He politely pointed out to the back left hand side and I requested him to give me some tissue in case of shortage of water. Somehow I had to go only to find two W.C. On peeping inside the first was, “what to say was ok” to make my zaroorat, but on peeping in the second there was a big mound, a disgusting site. Finally I relieved myself in the first and was happy to receive my brother one hour later.
What makes me to pen this incident is being an International Airport it should not have all the so called hi-fi toilets for the passengers only which are inside as it is nearly impossible for any outsider to go inside as the security will never understand your need. As many people come to receive their loved ones coming from abroad, the AAI and the Goa government also has the equal responsibility to look after the people’s needs by having more toilets and keeping them clean and tidy with the necessary amenities.
Another incident I would like to highlight which happened in the month of June when I had gone to Kashmir with my family. In Sonamarg to be precise where tourists flock daily in thousands I have a similar tale to tell. Gone are the days when they used to charge 50p for a pee and Re 1 for using the toilet. As a tourist spot Rs 5 is reasonable for either of the acts, but when I went to relieve myself after paying and came out I asked candidly the person taking the money, “Hey bhai, burra mat lena. Ye paisa tum kyun leta hai? Toilet saaf rakne k liye ya toilet ganda karne ke liye? ”. Then I told him in Hindi only that so many people come spending a lot of money and they won’t mind even paying Rs 10 but only for a neat and clean toilet. I also told him that his duty is not only to sit and take money, but after person using the toilet to go and see if it is clean and if not to make it clean so that the person coming next does not get a nauseating sight after all it is manned by private business people who care a damn for cleanliness and for the users but only care for the moolah they earn daily.
So the take home message is to educate our children as soon as they are aware of what is clean and good and what is dirty and bad. As the old adage goes “Charity begins at home” so also this virtue of cleanliness of keeping oneself and the surrounding clean has to be cultivated and inculcated at the very young age so that we can have a real Swachh Bharat.
