India: the economic challenge of making cleanliness a civic habit

India: the challenge of cleanliness as a civic habit and its economic impact

India's prime minister has urged citizens to adopt cleanliness as an everyday habit, in a context where public hygiene remains an unresolved issue. The statement, reported in local media, points to a necessary cultural shift to tackle health and environmental problems that weigh on development.

The economic weight of sanitation

The lack of infrastructure and cleaning habits has direct economic consequences: higher healthcare spending, lost labour productivity and damage to the country's tourist image. According to estimates by international organisations, India loses a significant percentage of its GDP every year to illnesses linked to unsafe water and poor sanitation. The prime minister's appeal seeks to reduce those figures, but without parallel public investment, the impact will be limited.

Between scepticism and necessity

Reactions have been mixed. Some see the statement as an empty gesture, pointing out that structural problems (sewerage, waste collection) are not solved with exhortations. Others argue that cultural campaigns such as Swachh Bharat (India's Clean India Mission) have improved toilet coverage and reduced open defecation, although results are uneven.

The gap between official discourse and reality on the ground remains enormous. While the government promotes civic-mindedness, millions of people lack access to basic services. Making cleanliness a civic habit is not just a slogan: it is an economic and public health necessity that requires coordination and resources.

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