Shillong: Industrialist Anand Mahindra has praised Meghalaya’s Mawlynnong for its sustained, community-driven commitment to cleanliness, calling the village a role model for the country.
In a post on social media platform X, Mahindra invoked the proverb “It takes a village to raise a child” to underline the importance of collective responsibility.
He observed that in Mawlynnong, cleanliness is not treated as a campaign but as an ingrained cultural value rooted in shared duty, respect for nature and collective dignity.
He added that India’s transformation would depend not merely on slogans but on widespread community participation, describing the residents of the village as his “#MondayMotivation.”
“ It takes a village to raise a child”
That’s a proverb reminding us that responsibility is never individual; it belongs to the community.
In Mawlynnong, Meghalaya, that idea shapes daily life.
For the inhabitants of the village, cleanliness isn’t a campaign. It’s culture;… pic.twitter.com/Mvurw3CjWl
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) March 2, 2026
Located about 90 kilometres southwest of Shillong, Mawlynnong drew national and international attention in 2003 after being described in travel accounts as “Asia’s cleanest village,” a distinction that significantly boosted tourism in the area.
Since then, it has remained a prominent example of grassroots environmental stewardship.
The predominantly Khasi village follows a matrilineal system and relies on traditional institutions for community decision-making.
ALSO READ: Tripura to build four ‘elephant passes’ in Khowai to prevent train accidents
Strict cleanliness measures have been institutionalised, including the use of bamboo dustbins, segregation of waste at source and a ban on plastic.
Regular community cleaning drives are conducted, and children are educated early on about waste management and environmental responsibility.
Beyond its reputation for cleanliness, Mawlynnong is also a popular eco-tourism destination due to its proximity to the living root bridge at Riwai and a bamboo skywalk offering panoramic views of the Bangladesh plains.
Mahindra’s remarks drew widespread appreciation online, with many users echoing his view that lasting change stems from sustained local participation rather than short-term drives.
