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An inspiring tale of keeping a village clean

Mohammed Iqbal

A Mumbai man's initiative to maintain health and hygiene in his native land

KATRATHAL (RAJASTHAN): A Dalit family of the dusty Katrathal village in Sikar district found livelihood in an inspiring saga of cleanliness with a Muslim businessman of the village, settled in Mumbai, taking an unusual initiative to maintain health and hygiene in his native land.

Mirza Sarwar Beg, settled in Mumbai for the past 45 years, depicted his concern for sanitation of his hometown recently by offering a decent remuneration to an unemployed Dalit man, Chhitar Mal, for cleaning the lanes and by-lanes and drains of the village.

Thanks to these sustained efforts for hygiene, the village -- situated 10 km from Sikar on the Pilani Road -- has bagged the prestigious Nirmal Gram award of the Union Rural Development Ministry in recognition of cleanliness and elimination of open defecation.

Chhitar Mal, accompanied by his wife Sharda, sets out with his donkey-cart every morning to collect garbage from all roads and interior lanes. They sweep the roads with brooms and keep a watch to send back children trying to defecate on the roadside. Their 10-year-old son, Krishna, joins them at noon after returning from school.

The 35-year-old Dalit man was all praise for Mr. Beg when asked about his new responsibilities. "There was no permanent employment for me in the village with hardly any awareness about cleanliness. Beg Sahib sends me Rs. 3,000 every month for a job which is essentially a community service,'' he said.

As a committed worker, Chhitar Mal tries to generate awareness for keeping the village clean while doing all sorts of jobs, such as lifting animal carcasses, opening choked drains, cleaning toilets and collecting waste and throwing it on the outskirts at an earmarked spot.

Mr. Beg, speaking on phone from Mumbai, said he was indebted to the village where he was born and was making his little contribution for welfare of his own people regardless of their caste or creed. A few relatives of the 60-year-old businessman live in Katrathal and he visits the village once every year.

Mr. Beg -- engaged in the business of waterproofing of buildings in Mumbai -- said he had also asked the villagers to grow trees and offered to give Rs. 1,000 for every tree planted alongside roads and on open land. "Besides, I want to hold regular health and eye operation camps in the village to show attachment to my birthplace,'' he said.

While the businessman's gesture has won hearts in the rural community, the village panchayat is yet to officially recognise his contribution.

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