Cleanliness helps you develop a dynamic personality

During a recent visit to Gangtok, I was reminded of Napoleon Bonaparte’s quote: “Water, air and cleanliness are the chief articles in my pharmacy.” The visit converted my belief into conviction that cleanliness is indeed next to godliness. To remind you, Gangtok has the distinction of being the cleanest city in India, year after year.

The air, land and everything around the city are in a spick and span state. This makes you feel ashamed of being dirty yourself or dirtying the surroundings. Cleanliness has several dimensions, but its two most important aspects are: Physical and inner cleanliness.

One must be aware that these two aspects of godliness help each other in promoting love and compassion. So, if you are clean within, you are bound to be clean without; and that will take care of a peaceful and happy environment, leading to a life of quality and purpose.

Recall Gandhiji’s emphasis on cleanliness and the importance he gave it in his own life. Here was a man who, while living the simplest possible life, went to the extremes of cleanliness, not only regarding himself but with all around him. Cleanliness, for him, was as much a necessity as love, compassion and empathy. That is why he had said, “Everyone must be his own scavenger” to keep everything clean.

Cleanliness can help you have positive thoughts and make your daily work and actions take a positive turn. Japanese playwright and inventor Kobo Abe reinforces this point in his own inimitable style: “The level of civilisation is proportionate to the degree of cleanliness.”

(Inner Voice comprises contributions from our readers The views expressed are personal)