Let cleanliness become a habit

This refers to “Make a clean sweep in the Indian sweep stakes by Manas Chakravarty ( Loose Canon, November 2). The piece is interesting to read. It provides a clean and healthy behind-thescenes message. Exhibitionism, with a broom in hand for a photo opportunity, will hardly make India clean. The government cannot be effective in this much- publicised programme. It can only serve as a motivator. NGOs and individuals, irrespective of stature, should feel concerned about this. The media can play a vital role. Some form of competition in cleanliness can do a lot in this. Europe’s cleanliness did not happen in a day.

S KUMAR, Panchkula

II

The author’s apprehension that a mere moral call to clean up India may taper off is justified. After all, we are responsible for littering and keeping our environs in a mess. We have to change the attitudes and habits that have become so ingrained in us. Who knows, the government may moot an Indian Sweeping League in the coming days as the author has desired.

UDIT TEWARI, New Delhi