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.
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.”
