On 24 August 2025, foreign nationals living in Gurugram organised a citizen-led cleanliness drive targeting garbage-strewn roads and blocked drains across key city areas. Led by Lazar, a Serbian national, and supported by volunteers from France, Japan, the US, and local residents, the effort aimed to raise awareness on civic responsibility and cleanliness.
Municipal Corporation officials welcomed the initiative but acknowledged the pressing need to upgrade the city’s waste management systems. While many praised the volunteers for their community spirit, the drive also sparked mixed reactions about the city’s sanitation state and resident participation.
Volunteer Efforts Spark Cleanliness Momentum
The initiative was spearheaded by Lazar and drew nearly 40 expatriates together with local community members to clean and unclog drains, collect accumulated waste, and educate passersby on the importance of keeping public spaces clean. “Everyone should clean at least a two-metre stretch outside their homes or shops,” Lazar urged. French volunteer Matilda shared, “India is amazing, but it is also sad to see so much garbage in some parts. We want to help change that.”
The drive focused on hotspots near the Guru Dronacharya Metro Station and several residential sectors. Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) Joint Commissioner Pradeep Dahiya commended the volunteers as “beacons of civic responsibility” and highlighted the importance of citizen-municipality collaboration.
Gurugram’s Sanitation Challenges in Context
Despite being a thriving corporate hub, Gurugram struggles with basic sanitation. Reports show door-to-door waste collection has declined from 85% coverage last year to 59% recently, along with decreased segregation of waste at source. The city spends approximately Rs 250 crore annually on sanitation, yet clogged drains and littered roads remain common, worsening in the monsoon season and fueling health hazards.
Civic activists and residents have frequently criticised inadequacies in public waste management and drainage maintenance, sometimes using social media to express frustration. The initiative by foreign nationals reflects both a gap in municipal performance and a growing citizen willingness to address urban cleanliness proactively.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This drive reveals a powerful message: cleanliness is not the government’s job alone but a shared responsibility that transcends nationality. It is inspiring and humbling to witness foreign residents take such active ownership of Gurugram’s sanitation issues, often more visibly than local citizens.
While some reactions have shown embarrassment or defensiveness about the city’s condition, this should serve as motivation for all residents, not shame. The spirit of volunteerism shown in this initiative embodies the values The Logical Indian promotes-peaceful coexistence, empathy, and active citizenship.
