Q4(b). How could social influence and persuasion contribute to the success of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan? (150 words)
Answer
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (SBA) is a campaign in India that aims to clean up the streets, roads and infrastructure of India’s cities, smaller towns and rural areas, particularly by eliminating open defecation through the construction of self-owned and community-owned toilets and by establishing an accountable mechanism of monitoring toilet use.
The success of SBA depends on the active participation of the common people of India, which is possible through persuasion. Social influence operates when people imitate national leaders and popular personalities as their role model. Therefore, even the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers and celebrities from the film and sports world are campaigning for the SBA mission.
The government is also imparting messages through different mediums like newspapers, television and social media to clean up our house/s and neighbourhood. People have also become more conscious about cleanliness and avoid throwing garbage in public places. Consistent persuasion has motivated the people of India to value cleanliness and keep their surroundings clean. (153 words)