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Being Clean - 2

Lots of thoughts crisscross in my mind as I studied the comments that some of you stated about the first post, Being Clean.

These are my thoughts to my dear friends who shared theirs:

@Bharathy: Yes, its appalling to think about all those millions of dust bugs inside the pillows. Public sanitation is very poor all around the country. There is so much to be done to make things better. In Delhi, I heard about street plays that go from village to village teaching one concept at a time to the villagers and in urban areas. Simple concepts like 'Wash your hands' form the basic essence of the play. I think such endeavors need to be endorsed by parents, teachers and educational institutions to inculcate a better sense of hygiene and cleanliness.

@Nishita: Totally true! We are all very clean when it comes to our homes but talk about our surroundings and its a different matter altogether. You won't believe it but I've got neighbors spitting on the balcony of others.

When I pointed it out, I was told by them this is so common in UP. Pets shitting in lifts is permissible by the owners who look the other side and don't bother to clean up. Kids throw eggs and leftover food from their balconies and parents don't bother to scold.

Out on the roads, I saw three giggling college girls with fancy, branded clothes and I envied them for a second till I saw one of them spitting chewing gum on the road!

@Shilpa: You know, its funny but I've been called stuck up by a lot of people when I refuse to eat from street vendors. It's really not about being snobbish. It's actually fear of getting an infection, falling ill and then taking a long time to recover. Like you, I've always avoided eating anything from street vendors.  And, naturally, I don't let my three year old eat any street food either.

@Nanny Dee:  Yep, I know what you mean. It's always been something I carry too wherever I go - hand sanitizers. They are a must-have!

@Lavanya:  I totally agree with you. People need to feel an urgency to love their surroundings, take ownership seriously and make initiatives work to make their premises clean. There is very little the Government can do. At a grass root level, I really wish this begins in schools so that kids of all ages and their parents learn to follow good, hygienic habits.


Like Miss Kriss, who has a fetish for cleanliness, I think its something we need to develop too, in the society. To read what Miss Kriss has to say, click here.

It's been really great to share thoughts with all of you. Waiting to hear more comments soon!

Comments

How I agree about animals messing in public places - though not necessarily the fault of the animals who, after all, are just doing what comes naturally, it is up to the owners to train their animals and if accidents do occur to clean up afterwards.

With regard to hand washing, I agree with you to a certain extent but must admit to being a little tired of seeing posters everywhere informing us here in the UK of the correct way to wash our hands - surely it isn't that difficult and, yet with so many tummy bugs etc on the increase, perhaps it is.
Lavanya Sriram said…
Swapna, It should begin from home, in fact. I always make it a habit to throw rubbish only in dust bins, where ever I am. In fact sometimes, I have carried rubbish from one place to another while traveling for want of a dust bin. We should teach our kids the same even before they go to school. I am teaching my daughter the same. Some times, I see my own relatives throw rubbish else where and I don't hesitate chiding them about it. It is we who have to cultivate cleanliness around us and educate people (at least our own people). We have to teach the kids not to throw rubbish on the road, not to spit on the road and not to use the road as public toilets. The last one takes the cake. I get so mad when I see guys doing it anywhere that takes their fancy. Grrrrrrrrrrrr...
Shady West Side said…
you have been tagged ..click on the link to know more about it and pass around the tag too

http://painofmylife.blogspot.com/2009/09/lets-play-tag.html
Ginger said…
Hi I saw that you'd commented on my blog and wanted to stop by and say hello. I do believe you are from the farthest away reading. I love your profile and connecting with readers is something I love too. I just adore how blogger connects people on opposite sides of the world. Hope you'll come by and visit again soon.
chitra said…
Clean habits must start right from young age and the elders must train their kids for the same. But who will teach the elders?
Pramoda Meduri said…
Hey..nice thoughts about the cleaning habits.. Well, the temple incidents are bit serious..i too have seen some such incidents..

nice sum up and in this post, its good to se ur opinions and discussions..well done..keep it up..:)

Thanks
Kristin said…
Hi there! Thank you so much for finding my blog and for your sweet recommendation. :) I enjoyed reading about you and am excited that Blogger has brought us together! :)

I went back and read your post on cleanliness and I must say that I am right there with you. For as long as I can remember, cleanliness has been considered a virtue, and I have always done my best to make sure that things were neat, tidy, and sanitary. I am sure that a great deal of hygiene practices differ among cultures, and I also realize that I am fortunate to have been raised in the manner that I was. Even still, you will most likely never find me eating from a street vendor...littering...or leaving a public restroom without washing my hands!

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