Swachh Bharat 2.0- A Sequel With High Hopes!

Launched in 2014 by the Narendra Modi led government, the Swachh Bharat mission was a game-changer for a country hesitant to talk about sanitation. This initiative by the government was a commendable effort in addressing and raising awareness around the bad practices of open defecation, unhealthy and unhygienic sanitation and lack of toilets in rural and urban parts of the country.

The intention was to accelerate the process to ensure and achieve 100 percent in solid and liquid waste management, stressing over faecal sludge management, and promote reuse of wastewater. The issues of sanitation and cleanliness were talked about on a large scale, and the big focus of Swachh Bharat Rural and Urban Mission was to bring a change in the attitude of people towards such an important topic.

As of 2019, the country has achieved the status of ODF free, and to achieve and maintain the dream of clean India, the next version of the mission, Swachh Bharat 2.0, is already in development. This advanced mission aims to implement ODF+, which is ensuring ODF sustainability, along with reducing the usage of plastic altogether. The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan Gramin and Urban version 2.0 will stress on finding and using eco-friendly substitutes for plastic products and promises to have a positive impact on the environment.

While version one stressed over introducing and implementing behavioural changes, the next version will involve taking steps to ensure the implemented changes last long. India Sanitation Coalition is classified as a platform that supports the Government’s initiatives and brings the funders and implementers in contact with each other for the success of the mission. If you are an organization or an individual who wants to connect to such a cause and bring about the change, visit their website to find out how you can be a part.