Few years back, when I was travelling and was also part of my expedition to explore India a very interesting incident happened. This is when I was in Meghalaya and walking in a village. It was scorching sun and I kept drinking water from a disposable water bottle. Few children were playing nearby and I felt like joining them and they were also kind enough to include me in their team.
One of a small came to hold my water bottle but realised that there was no water. I asked him – “Do you want water” since I had another water bottle in my sling-bag. To which he refused. He actually took the empty water bottle to throw in the near-by dust-bin. It was a dustbin made of bamboo. I could nothing but admire his sensibility and responsible thinking.
I asked his name – “Sangma” he whispered politely. Sangma studied in a nearby school in 4th standard and had 2 sisters – Dhami and Nambi, and both were studying too. His father and mother make different objects and utility things from bamboo.
Sangma told me that cleanliness is not just a habit in this village, rather it is a deeply ingrained tradition and rooted deep in generations. “If me and my sisters don’t clean our house in the morning and also surroundings, we are not provided our meals.” This came as a shocking incident. Later Sangma told me that this is inculcated to keep-up the spirit of maintaining cleanliness in the village. The good habits are sown in children like seeds. Stricter rules are enforced, and those who violated the cleanliness norms were heavily penalized.
Before I could think the name of the village, I saw a board made of bamboo and “Village Mawlynnong” written on it. Indeed, Mawlynnong has been the cleanest village in entire Asia and very same village that was named by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji in “Mann Ki Baat”. Situated in the East of Khasi Hill in Meghalaya, Mawlynnong Village is often referred to as ‘God’s own Garden’.
The disposal of waste in this village has set an example for many villages across Asia. The hand-woven, cone-shaped baskets called ‘Koh’ are placed throughout the village for separating organic waste from burnable trash. The garbage is then used as manure in pits, a sustainable practice that benefited the community. Rainwater harvesting is a natural part of life with front yard basins. Colourful bougainvillea and elegant orchids adorn every patio. Planting of trees is a way of life here. Solar lamps illuminate the village streets, and tourists are encouraged to park their vehicles outside at a designated area. Villagers would even pick up plastic waste left by careless tourists and remind them of the available dustbins. Polythene usage and smoking is completely banned in Mawlynnong.
Open defecation has been eradicated with the construction of functional toilets, and biodegradable waste like leaves are turned into valuable manure.
Mawlynnong also stands as a unique example of matrilineal society, with the indigenous Khasi people following a rare societal structure. Traditional cobble-stoned paths are being replaced with concrete ones, as women break stones while men pave the way to bamboo and wooden houses. The village enjoys an impressive 100% literacy rate and there is almost zero-tolerance for litter.
Nothing comes easy in life and there are lessons that drive the life.
There is every reason for an individual or a community to take some strong measures in life. In the late 1800s, during the British Raj, a plague outbreak struck the Mawlynnong village. Misunderstandings and superstitions prevailed in abundance, attributing the disease to vengeful spirits. However, some compassionate missionaries arrived to educate the villagers about the actual cause of the plague and the importance of maintaining cleanliness. This marked a turning point, as awareness about the environment and cleanliness grew in the community. A journey of excellence in cleanliness had begun.
With its 900 residents, as of 2019, Mawlynnong remains an inspiration to the world. This little village had shown that a collective commitment to cleanliness and sustainability could transform any place into a true paradise. Mawlynnong continues to flourish, as a testament to the power of community spirit and a deep connection with nature.
About the Author
(Pavan Kaushik is a renowned author and storyteller)
