In an unusual turn, foreign nationals have taken to the streets of Gurugram to clean up public spaces, hoping to inspire residents to take greater responsibility for their city. While praising Indians as among the cleanest people within their homes, the volunteers stressed that this attitude often changes once people step outside.

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Clean Gurugram campaign

Lazar, a Serbian national spearheading the campaign, said that cleanliness should not end at the doorstep. “‘Sabhi ko apne ghar ya dukan ke saamne 2 metre ki doori tak ko saaf rakhna chahiye bas. Itna toh kar sakte hai apne desh ke liye,’” he remarked.

Explaining his motivation, he described India as “amazing” but in need of better public upkeep. “Indian people are among the cleanest on the planet… But the moment it’s about things outside their house, they think it’s not their issue. We have to change that,” he said.

Lazar began his drive just ten days ago after carrying out smaller clean-up efforts in Tamil Nadu, Bengaluru, and Rishikesh. He now hopes the campaign will spread across urban India, where public hygiene remains a persistent challenge.

Suhel Seth slams Gurugram’s civic planning

While citizens and foreign nationals battle the garbage problem, author and entrepreneur Suhel Seth earlier had criticised Gurugram’s infrastructure. Speaking on an ANI podcast, he called the city a symbol of “failed governance” despite being home to some of India’s largest corporations.

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Seth argued that Gurugram’s civic fabric is “slumlike” even though it hosts global names such as Coca-Cola, EY, and Hero MotoCorp. “It’s bizarre. The richest people live in slumlike environments,” he said.

Seth also mocked Delhi-NCR’s chronic flooding, saying the region is the “only place on the planet that can boast of two Venices side by side – Gurugram and Delhi”. From waterlogging to traffic chaos, he said liquor vends outnumber functioning traffic lights, summing up Gurugram as “a shame on this country”.