We often hear or think ourselves that “people are clean only when they have money”, “poor people are dirty”, or “cleanliness is only a luxury for the rich”. But is that really true? Is cleanliness only dependent on money? Or is it the result of our thoughts, environment, habits and awareness? Let's look at the matter a little deeper.
If we look at the reality around us, we can understand that money makes the path to cleanliness easier, but it does not create cleanliness. If you go to the elite areas of the city, you may see shiny buildings, branded lifestyle and well-decorated restaurants. But if you look closely, many people do not keep their bodies, clothes or surroundings clean properly even though they have money. Although their cars are shiny, their houses are messy, their bathrooms are unclean, and their lives are a mess full of smells.
On the other hand, you will see a poor housewife in the village, whose house is clean even though it is made of clay, her bed is made, her food is covered, her utensils are washed with pond water and kept in order. She may not use branded soap or essence, but her mentality of cleanliness is very high.
Cleanliness is actually a mentality. It has to be learned from childhood. Taking off shoes before entering the house, washing hands before eating, keeping nails short, covering nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing, keeping the toilet clean. These habits teach us cleanliness. Of course, some money is needed for all these, such as good soap, sanitary pads, safe water or clean clothes. But if there is no mentality, then even with money, these things are not used properly.
Another important aspect here is the social perspective. Even today, many people in our country think that the poor do not need to be clean, because they are already “lower class” people. This idea is completely wrong. Cleanliness is not a matter of any class or profession, it is part of human dignity. If a rickshaw puller takes a regular bath every day, wears clean clothes, and proudly says, “Even though I am poor, I do not smell,” then that is true cleanliness.
However, it is also true that poverty often becomes an obstacle to cleanliness. Many people still cannot use sanitary toilets, do not have access to safe water, and cannot afford to buy hand washing materials. But they cannot be blamed for this. To solve this problem, we need to change not only our individual mindset, but also our state and social infrastructure. We need to create opportunities for everyone to stay clean that are safe, accessible, and affordable.
So, with money, you can buy a branded lifestyle, you can buy luxury products, but whether you stay clean or not will depend on your education, awareness, values, and habits. Cleanliness is not a luxury, it is a basic consciousness of life, which should be possessed by everyone, rich and poor.