https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Swachch Indore: Insights into India’s Cleanest City 

Indian Masterminds Stories

Indore, famously known as the ‘Chatoron ka Sehar’, tops the list in cleanliness. Ever since it was ranked 1st in Swachchata Sarvekshan in 2017, it has maintained this position. However, not resting on the laurels, the city has been continuously striving for bigger achievements. As a result, it became the first water plus city and is on its way to becoming the city with the purest air under the International Clean Air Catalyst Programme. 

P Narahari, IAS

An IAS officer who is a part of this ‘clean air campaign’ has penned down the journey in his latest book, Swachch Indore. The 2001-batch officer, Mr. Parikipandla Narahari, is currently the Secretary, MSME and Commissioner, Industries, with additional charge of MD, MP State Cooperative Marketing Federation. 

During a conversation with Indian Masterminds, he talked about his book and, also, highlighted the reasons why Indore is ahead of other cities in many aspects. 

THE BOOK 

The book, which details how Indore jumped from number 25th to number 1 in 2017, was released on Civil Services Day (21 April). Mr. Parikipandla Narahari Narahari says, “This wasn’t an overnight miracle. It was a collective effort.” 

The book details the strategy adopted by the district administration to make the city waste and garbage free, as also the strategy to sustain the ranking and the reason why Indore has been unbeatable for five years. Mr. Narahari mentions that turning the campaign into competitive mode was the biggest USP – competition to become the cleanest city, competition amongst the corporators to make their wards clean, and competition among the Resident Welfare Societies. 

HOW CLEANLINESS BECAME A HABIT

When a good student tops the class, she doesn’t want to lose the position. The same happened with Indore. Once the people tasted the success of being on top and the result of cleanliness, like fewer health issues, low pollution level, absence of garbage stink, it became a habit. The district administration and municipal corporation started door-to- door collection of garbage. Every morning, the citizens separate their dry and wet wastes before handing them over, and this became a part of their routine. 

The author writes that a campaign can only be successful if it is not thrust upon the public, rather it is demanded by them. After getting used to being number 1 for five years, the people in Indore now cannot accept being even number 2. That is the main reason why the city is taking up new challenges every year and becoming an inspiration for others. 

THE LEGENDARY SONG 

It is true that a song can wake up the revolutionary inside people. Same happened with Indore. Mr. Narahari points how one song ‘Hai Halla’ became the Swachchta Anthem for Indore. This song revolutionised the public and they were all eager to become a part of the campaign. The song was written by the officer himself and sung by versatile singer Shan. 

There is a special section in the book where the roles of officers like Manish Sing, Asheesh Sing, Pratibha Pal in making Indore reach the top have been highlighted. Not just the officers, even the public representatives, especially the mayor, played a major role in making the cleanliness campaign a success. Mr. Narahari says, “Even when the officers are transferred, the campaign is not hampered because of two things. First, because it is the demand of people. Secondly, after achieving one level, you want to go to the next level. So, there is a positive pressure on everybody who is part of this plan.”

WHERE OTHERS LACK 

On why other cities are falling behind, Mr. Narahari said, “What worked for Indore is that every stakeholder put in a cohesive effort. They all came on the same platform. I think others are lacking in this. One’s effort should complement others. Everybody has to play their part if you want to achieve something like this.”


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
IAS Officers Indian Administrative Services
IAS Sanjay Garg Appointed OSD at BIS, to Take Over as DG in Nov; IAS Chandra Sekhar Gets Addl Charge as Parliamentary Affairs Secretary
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC on Implementation of Safeguards for Scheduled Tribe Employees
MP CM Collector Award Niti Aayog
Sampurnata Abhiyan: Madhya Pradesh Leads NITI Aayog Campaign; Collectors from 8 Districts Win Gold
Mohan Yadav
MP CM Mohan Yadav Pushes for Sustainable, Community-Driven Rural Water Policy; Targets 100% Tap Coverage by March 2027
Ajay Bhadoo IAS
IAS Ajay Bhadoo Gets Extended Term as DGFT - What It Means & His Career Journey
THDCIL_Receives_ABMS_Certification_for_Integrity_and_Transparency
THDC India (THDCIL) Awarded ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Certification by BIS - Details Inside
Ministry of Environment
Environment Ministry Clarifies Petrol Vehicle Tender, Cites E-Vehicle Flexibility
Bokaro Steel Plant
PESB Selects Priya Ranjan to Head Bokaro Steel Plant, SAIL’s Key Production Unit
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr
Resisted Flawed Schemes, Transferred Thrice In Three Months, Found Solace In Writing
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
IAS SVR Srinivas on Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Tough Calls, and the Real Power of IAS Officers | Video Interview
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 5.25
Dharavi Redevelopment: IAS Minds Turning 100-Year-Old Slum into a Modern City | Video Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Minnu P M
“Lazy, Sleepy, Yet Determined”: Minnu P M’s Honest Take on Cracking UPSC
Minnu PM, once a clerk in Kerala Police, cleared UPSC with AIR 150 after five years of struggle. Her...
IPS Ashish Tiwari
From IIT and Investment Banking to Public Service, Meet IPS Ashish Tiwari 
Ashish Tiwari, IIT graduate and former investment banker, chose public service over global finance. As...
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-12 at 7.27
First Attempt IRS, Fourth Attempt IPS: The Relentless Pursuit of Jitendra Kumar Yadav Who Cracked UPSC 3 Times
IPS Yadav is originally from Chhattisgarh. He was first selected for the IRS through UPSC and later for...
Social Media
Masahiro Hara
From Go Board to Global Use, How QR Codes Changed the World: IRAS Officer Ananth Rupanagudi Spotlights Masahiro Hara’s Vision
IRAS officer Ananth Rupanagudi shared a video on Masahiro Hara, the inventor of QR codes, highlighting...
IFS Susanta Nanda Video
A Mother’s Duty: Tigress Watches Over Cubs Splashing in Waterhole — Heartwarming Video Shared By Retd. IFS Officer Susanta Nanda
A tender wildlife video shared by Retd. IFS officer Susanta Nanda shows a tigress keeping watch over...
Mohanmala
Kaziranga Mourns: Beloved Elephant Mohanmala Passes Away After Five Decades of Service
Kaziranga National Park mourns the loss of Mohanmala, a beloved elephant who served over 50 years as...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
IAS Officers Indian Administrative Services
IAS Sanjay Garg Appointed OSD at BIS, to Take Over as DG in Nov; IAS Chandra Sekhar Gets Addl Charge as Parliamentary Affairs Secretary
IFS S Krithiga
Eco-Friendly Cottages, Tribal Cuisine, and Conservation: Inside Tamil Nadu’s Pachamalai Project
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 5.25
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT