Run for a Clean India, they said.

As the participants gathered near the Start Point of the Half Marathon, the organizers proudly reminded all that this is also a run for Clean India. Most of the crowd cheered in unison showcasing their unshakable resolve meanwhile few were busy relieving themselves against the wall. And not far, stood the temporary toilets set up, watching in silence and experiencing an existential crisis. We will run for a Clean India, they said.

It was the first water station point, just 2 KMs from the the start. The runners pounced at the plastic water bottles, nothing wrong, they were perhaps dehydrated. They took a sip and threw rest of the water over themselves, to cool down the overheated body, perhaps. And then with all the swag in the world, they threw those bottles everywhere they could. I wonder if it was the passion of running that made them blind to the dustbins available at these points. Or perhaps carrying these bottles to the next dustbin point would slow them down and they might miss the podium finish, such dedicated bunch. We will run for a Clean India, they said.

The last drag of the Half marathon culminated into the other races. The fun runs and walks for short distances. These races attract the maximum numbers. And all of them with two bottles of water in their hands. Given their total distance, they must be sipping it for every step they take. The dustbins placed were not sufficient, not anywhere close. The procession left a sea of plastic bottles behind. We will run for a Clean India, they said.

They can provide temporary toilets. They can provide dustbins. They can create Cleanliness jingles and what not. But unless, WE, the people change our rotten habits, all would be in vain. We will run for a Clean India, they said.