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Once Fined for Littering in Kuwait, This Rajasthan Businessman Now Drives for Cleanliness

Since 2014, Kailash Panchal has led cleanliness campaigns in his village. Now armed with a car, he hopes to spread his message across the country.

Once Fined for Littering in Kuwait, This Rajasthan Businessman Now Drives for Cleanliness

In 1999-2000, Kailash Panchal was visiting Kuwait with his uncle. The young man threw a bottle of cold drink on the road, an unfortunately common activity in India. But this was Kuwait and Kailash’s uncle had to pay a heavy fine for littering. It was a life-changing experience.

Impressed by the Kuwaiti commitment to cleanliness, and motivated by the Swachch Bharat campaign, Kailash now helms his own cleanliness drives across India.

Kailash (left) in Dungarpur, Rajasthan
Image source: Facebook

The 35-year-old businessman from Udaipur, Rajasthan has taken it upon himself to spread awareness around the country. He will travel, with a friend in a car he has christened Swachch Bharat Bhraman Yatra, to spread awareness and encourage citizens to keep their surroundings clean.

Speaking to Hindustan Times about his initiative, Kailash said, “Starting from February 1, I have embarked on my mission with a renewed effort. I plan to visit 33 districts in Rajasthan and sensitize people about the need to keep their surroundings clean, especially in public places like railway station and bus stands”

“I started campaigning for cleanliness way back in 2014,” Kailash told HT. “Back then, I travelled in trains and buses to places like Mathura, Ahmedabad and even Chennai to create public awareness through pamphlets and leaflets. I also spoke on the issue at public gatherings and events.”

Kailash’s car makes a quirky sight, plastered with slogans and awareness messages. He started in Rajasthan, his home state, and has already travelled to Banswara, Pratapgarh, Chittorgarh, Jhalawar, Baran districts to spread his message.


You might also like: Watch How a Street Cleaner Gave Indians an Unforgettable Lesson in Cleanliness in This Viral Video


Giving Kailash company on the journey is Prateek Suthar. A public address system in the car will be used to play recorded awareness messages, and Kailash and Prateek hope to use it to address people too.

Kailash, who earns his living with a bangle and cosmetic shop in Rishabhdeo, took it upon himself to spread the message of cleanliness everywhere around the time Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off the Swachch Bharat Abhiyan. However, he had already started spreading awareness in his own village, where he has distributed 1,000 dustbins in the last three years.

Armed with a car, he now hopes to spread his message far and wide.

For more on the Swachch Bharat Bhraman Yatra campaign, get in touch with the team here.

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