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The mission’s progress is meticulously tracked through the “Swachh Survekshan,”
a quarterly national cleanliness survey. This survey rates urban local bodies
(ULBs) in terms of their on-ground implementation, serving as a crucial tool for
accountability. It is a comprehensive assessment tool that evaluates urban areas’
cleanliness and sanitation conditions, clearly showing the mission’s progress.
The Swachh Survekshan goes beyond achieving “Open Defecation Free” (ODF)
status, as cities now strive for “ODF++” and the advanced “Water Plus” and
“Water Plus Plus” ratings, which measure the efficacy of wastewater treatment
and its subsequent reuse. This systematic incentivization, a deliberate shift from
mere penalties, is a critical mechanism for behavioral change. Abhishek explicit
ly stated, “Rather than penalizing someone... when you start incentivizing his ef
forts, people are carried away to that side very quickly towards the incentives”.
This pragmatic understanding of human motivation is key to the mission’s long-
term sustainability. The Swachh Survekshan, with its focus on incentivization
and behavioral change, plays a crucial role in this sustainability, encouraging
cities to strive for higher cleanliness and sanitation standards.
“The technologies on the ground, or the policy
implementation on the ground, is quite lacking.”
Waste: A Bioengineer’s Lens
For Abhishek, the transition from the controlled environment of a biotechnology
lab to the expansive, often chaotic, landscape of municipal waste management
was not merely a change of scenery but a fundamental shift in perspective. His
bioengineering background, steeped in the intricacies of microbiological pro
cesses, afforded him a unique ability to connect seemingly disparate elements
on a grander scale. He speaks of discerning “the larger goals or the larger points
rather than working just for a village, or just for a town, or just for a city, when
working for the entire nation”. This macro view, unusual for someone trained
in micro-level remediation, allowed him to see patterns and possibilities where
others perceived only problems.
“Waste is again a variable term. It’s based on the theory of relativity. It is some
thing which is waste for you must not be waste for others”. This statement
challenges the conventional, linear understanding of disposal. For instance,