Let’s Keep Our Cities Clean: A Personal Pledge, A Collective Duty
“Cleanliness is Half of Faith” — A Civic and Spiritual Imperative
Dr. Fiaz Maqbool Fazili
Cleanliness is more than a government responsibility—it is a personal ethic, a reflection of one’s inner values, and the foundation of a healthier, more harmonious society. In communities like ours, where Islam is the guiding faith for many, the Prophetic saying “Cleanliness is half of faith” should inspire behaviour not only in private life but in public conduct as well.
The question we often ask—Why are our cities still dirty? —must first be turned inward. It is not merely a civic failure but a shared societal omission. A clean city begins with a clean conscience.
My daily commitment to urban cleanliness is my personal commitment to cleanliness starts with the simplest daily actions, the simplest introspective question has to begin with , Am I avoiding littering and always use designated waste bins., Do I segregate my household waste into biodegradable and recyclable categories, Am I actively reducing plastic usage and repurpose what I can.Do i resolve that I ensure hygienic use of public and hospital washrooms, flush toilets, turn off taps, and dispose of sanitary waste properly.
These are not grand gestures, but when repeated consistently, they make a profound difference. The culture of cleanliness is not built by slogans—it is sustained through habits.
From personal practice to public engagement true civic behaviour must extend beyond the home. I regularly participate in local cleanliness drives, support initiatives by Srinagar Municipal Corporation and the Smart City Mission and help maintain parks and streets in my neighbourhood.Community participation fosters civic pride. When citizens take initiative—not just leave the task to municipal workers—it redefines public space as shared space. Moreover, I engage peers, neighbour’s, and students in conversations around responsible waste management, plastic pollution, and water conservation.Small acts of civic mindfulness can inspire others. Clean habits, like hygiene, are contagious.
Cleanliness is foundational, not superficial .Clean surroundings are not just about looking good—they touch every aspect of public life, and public health. Overflowing waste and open drains breed diseases like malaria, dengue, and diarrhea. Proper sanitation is preventive medicine.Studies show people in clean environments experience lower stress, improved mood, and higher satisfaction with life. Mental well-being and environmental health are interlinked ,litter clogs drains, pollutes rivers, and damages biodiversity. Waste segregation and composting protect natural resources.Clean cities attract tourists, investment, and improve property and economic value.A clean city fosters social trust, pride, and belonging. Public spaces are respected when they are well-maintained.
We often demand better from the government. But real change begins with individual choices. What can conscious, concerned, responsible and dutiful citizens do,there are some ways every citizen can contribute. Dispose responsibly: don’t litter, spit, or dump garbage in public spaces,segregate waste , separate biodegradable and recyclable items at home, convert kitchen waste into compost for plants(Compost at Source).Reduce & reuse: say no to single-use plastics and avoid unnecessary consumption. Join clean-up drives: volunteer for neighbourhood or school-led initiatives.Use civic apps like the Swachh Bharat app to report issues and highlight sanitation lapses.
Institutional & Community Involvement; For cleanliness to become a social habit, institutional partnerships and community leadership are essential, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) can organize weekly drives, establish local compost pits, and promote best practices, Schools and Colleges must integrate environmental stewardship into their curriculum. NGOs play a vital role in slums and underserved communities, where civic services may lag.Artists & designers can beautify neglected spaces with murals and installations, building pride and preventing vandalism.
Civic Tech & Waste Innovation-Innovative technology is reshaping waste management across modern cities. Smart Bins equipped with sensors can alert authorities when full, ensuring timely disposal. Waste-to-Energy Systems convert organic waste into biogas and compost.AI Mapping helps identify waste hotspots and plan targeted interventions.These tools, if adopted, can make municipal operations more efficient, transparent, and impactful.
Swachh Bharat: From Vision to Daily Practice
The Swachh Bharat Mission, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, is not merely a policy, it is a national awakening. But no government mission can succeed without citizen ownership.I contribute to this mission by reporting civic issues through official platforms, promoting sustainable consumer choices, encouraging responsible practices in personal and professional spaces ,advocating for policies that support environmental responsibility.From urban waste to rural sanitation, we must bridge the gap between aspiration and action.
Don’t Forget Rural Side: Clean environment must extend beyond urban borders. Villages also need infrastructure and education to uphold public hygiene. The sanitation facilities must be accessible everywhere building and maintaining toilets especially at city centers, busy markets, near hospitals. parking and tourist places is vital to ending open urination or defecation. “The Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC) had proposed to the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Mr. Omar Abdullah, that even such a facility could be outsourced, with a nominal service fee, as a practical and sustainable solution.”
Hygiene Education has to begin from an early age, schools and village leaders must promote cleanliness through behaviour, not just awareness. Rural markets must transition away from plastic and toward biodegradable alternatives by eco-friendly packaging.Promote sustainable travel to villages without compromising natural heritage and vote for Eco-Tourism.
From Clean Streets to a Clean Conscience:
A clean city is not the government’s task alone—it’s a mirror of the citizen’s intent. A clean conscience, a clean city-clean cities are not accidental. Let’s not make cleanliness a burden imposed from above, but a legacy we consciously build and proudly uphold. If we want change, we must be the change—one street, one bin, one act at a time.
They are created by citizens who care—about their health, their surroundings, and each other. They are built by those who take initiative, not just issue complaints.Let us remember, If I do not throw trash on my own floor, why tolerate it on our roads?If I respect hygiene at home, why abandon it in public places?Cleanliness is not someone else’s job—it is everyone’s responsibility.
Final Word: Let “Clean City, Clear Mind” Be Our Civic Mantra.
A clean city is not a distant ideal—it is an everyday reality waiting to be realized through simple, conscious, repeated actions. Let us stop blaming and start becoming. Let us be the citizens who inspire, who act, who lead by example. Let us take pride in every street cleaned, every bottle reused, every child taught that public space is sacred space. Only then will our cities truly shine—not just with order, but with dignity, health, and hope.
(Dr. Fiaz Maqbool Fazili is a Senior Consultant Surgeon , Healthcare Policy Advocate and Public Thinker)
