Imagine waking up to clean, pleasant streets and surroundings each day. It would be so refreshing to find our surroundings clean and fresh free from any waste and foul smell each morning. The credit for such incredible outcome and hard work clearly goes to the "Unnoticed guardian of the streets." While they work hard with unwavering dedication each day, there are some issues they face, which are just swept under the rug and no one talks about.

So, let us delve into some insights and stories from the lives of street sweepers, making it an extremely important topic to be discussed and shared eventually. So, how do we imagine their lives to be, for all the toil and hard work? Can we assume them to lead an appreciated and respectful life? Let's take a closer look.

Stories of life in a nutshell: The Role

Street sweepers are assigned the task of clearing streets off waste, debris and garbage. They begin their duties early in the morning before the traffic on the roads. They work long shifts, almost 8-12 hours a day. Some of them come to work in the mornings and some in the evenings and night based on the locality. Their main job is to maintain cleanliness, ensuring public health and maintaining pleasant surroundings. The harsh reality is that they do not get days off even if they are sick or unwell. They still have to continue doing their jobs despite their health conditions. They face many challenges in both their personal and professional lives, with lasting impacts on their families who depend on them. Despite their efforts, they are still overlooked and belittled by people in the society. Let's open the untouched box of worries they endure each day.

The Untouched box of troubles: The Challenges

Apart from the lack of recognition for their efforts, these street sweepers experience several challenges in their lives. They are often paid low wages making it difficult to provide for their families. Sometimes, there are days where they don't get paid or their pay is delayed for months, robbing them of the little happiness they find in life. These hard-working street sweepers also face a tough time bearing insults and disrespect in the society by being called "dirty", "Low-class", "untouchable" and many more. Imagine the pressure they go through being ridiculed and suppressed by people around them. They are also accused of thefts, and are also subjects to physical violence by citizens who think it is right to oppress them. Isn't it heartbreaking?

Here comes another miserable part of their unsung story: their health. They are mostly exposed to pollution, dust, and harmful environments most of the time. They fall ill due to physical fatigue from all the bending for prolonged hours, have respiratory problems, skin infections, and sometimes it is heartbreaking that they experience sudden accidents during work like being hurt by sharp objects and toxic waste. An important concern is the lack of proper protective gear.

After a tiresome shift, where do they rest or have a proper meal in peace? Do they have some designated places for them? Sadly, they don't have places to rest, eat and relax. Despite being burdened by all these challenges, they never miss a chance to work each day. There is constant pressure to adjust in the society due to lack of financial assurance and no job security. While these are the troubles they face, there are also some unheard glories of these street guardians.

Unheard glories of these unsung heroes: The Contribution

Street sweepers play a super important role in the cleanliness of a locality. They clean the streets free of garbage and waste, which prevents the spread of diseases among public. By collecting toxic and harmful waste, they contribute to decrease in pollution and creating safe surroundings. There is another unavoidable aspect where street sweepers deserve full credit. They play a vital role during any natural disasters or emergencies, by cleaning the streets off any debris, waste and harmful objects, ensuring public safety. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, street sweepers continued their work, often at great personal risk, even when they were not compensated, showing immense courage and dedication. In spite of their contributions, they are always overlooked, struggling for recognition and support in their lives.

Lifelines of Hope and Support: The Schemes

As a result, The Government of India takes the privilege to provide hope and support to street sweepers, offering them a lifeline for a better life. Schemes like National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC);

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY); National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM); Swachh Bharat Mission and others were introduced for the benefit of the street sweepers. These initiatives provide financial support, healthcare support, skill development trainings (NULM); affordable loans for housing (PMAY); health and safety provisions, such as protective gear and health insurance (Swachh Bharat Mission); Self-employment (NSKFDC). Additionally, PMJAY offers them free healthcare and hospitalization facilities. While many of them benefit from these schemes, there are also others waiting for these opportunities to knock on their door.

While we are nearing the end of understanding the lives of the street sweepers, it is important for us learn to appreciate and respect them for their hard work and dedication. No job is as easy as we think unless we ourselves do it. So, we must strive to create a safe space for them in the society by embracing humanity. Moreover, it would be of help if we manage to keep our surroundings clean rather than littering and creating stinky garbage piles and health issues. Let's come together to create a society where all professions are respected equally and cherished.

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References:

1. Siasat Daily. (2023, October 31). Hyderabad GHMC sweepers face uphill task of clearing coloured paper stripes. https://www.siasat.com/hyderabad
2. Indian Express. (2020, March 31). Sanitation workers, sweepers serve public as unsung heroes amid COVID-19 despite non-payment. https://www.ifp.co.in/1269/sanitation-workers
3. Times of India. (2018, December 10). Nearly 69% of corporation sweepers suffer from multiple health problems: Study. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com 
4. The Mooknayak. (2021, January 9). Underpaid and socially outcast: The plight of Sheikh sanitation workers in Kashmir. https://en.themooknayak.com
5. Times of India. (2023, October 5). Sweeper dies by suicide in Mumbai's Old Airport. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
6. ScienceDirect. (2019, December 15). Sanitation worker health risks and safety. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science