Recalling his days in Germany, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said he often wondered how a system can work where there was no access control. Fadnavis, who did his post-graduate degree and Business Management and Diploma in Project Management from DSE (German Foundation for International Development, Berlin) said, “ In Germany, a friend of mine who was new, traveled seven days with the tickets he had purchased but did not punch while boarding the train. Yet, nobody fined him.” “I often wondered how a system can work where there was no access control. Unlike, here one never saw ticket collectors conducting surprise checks on individuals and asking them to pay fine. When I asked the local Germans, their reply was the train is providing the services to us. Is it not our duty to pay for the services. Why would anybody not pay?” Fadnavis, who launched the “Cleanliness Drive” titled “ MUNIJAN” (Maharashtra Universities New Initiative for Joint Action Now) at Mumbai University narrated his personal experience to highlight how these small values display the larger national character. At the Mumbai University's Convocation Hall which was packed with vice-chancellors from 18 universities and principals of various colleges and hundreds of students, he said, “I would appeal to the students to reckon that cleanliness drive should become the “niyta niyam” in our own lives.” The campaign till 2019, can change the face of Maharashtra if the youth power which attributes to 50 per cent of the population comes forward and undertakes the responsibility voluntarily. The chief minister said, “I would urge the students to realise their own potential. Cleanliness drive is just one aspect. But each one of you can make a contribution to the nation in his/her own capacity.” Fadnavis said, “Let us understand that not everybody is going to join the army and wage a battle across border. Nor every one can be a police providing security. But whatever we are can also set the examples and attribute to larger national character. As it is the value and principles that strengthen the character of any nation.” Earlier, minister for education Vinod Tawde cited the example of a Japanese woman who seeing a torn seat in a train mended it voluntarily. When asked why she took the trouble to repair the seat which was government's duty she quipped: “The train is providing the service to us. So, I ensure it is well kept.” The MUNIJAN campaign will be launched across 18 universities and 4500 colleges. The campaign will continue between October 2 to January 26 every year till 2019. Each college is expected to adopt a public place and ensure its maintenance.
