Many will agree that we Indians lack in cleanliness compared to most of the western countries. We are making lot of efforts across the country to improve the same. I attribute this problem to our basic attitude that gives pleasure in ‘creation’ than in ‘maintenance’. I feel the effort we put in creating a new ‘concept’ is not supplemented by the efforts we put in towards sustenance and maintenance. This basically becomes a draw back after sometime and the ‘creation’ suffers and goes into a state of neglect.

Just a few days back I happened to visit a renowned Courier agency. It may be doing good business, but the office lacks basic cleanliness. The office is scattered with dust and papers and looks like it has not been even cleaned for couple of weeks.

I also happened to visit an Internet Browsing center recently. The kiosk is definitely doing good business but it again lacked basic cleanliness. All the machines and tables were filled with dust.

I have observed during travel abroad that everyone plans for necessary resources for maintenance and follow-up on the same. Even cleaning of toilets carries a schedule that is posted on the wall and that is signed by the person who does the job. I was impressed by their ‘maintenance’ planning and effectiveness in implementing the same.

I observe the attitude problem extends to many of the things. Even I also suffer with the same attitude problem and I have been doing my best to overcome the same. I plan regularly to maintain things that I feel are important. I give my scooter for just maintenance repairs every three months. Even when I started my home page I was afraid of becoming victim of this attitude. But somehow I was able to put my energy into ensuring this home page is well maintained with regular updates.

The thrill and satisfaction we get at the time of creation is different. It gains attention of others and is appreciated. After sometime everyone forgets about it and the creation is also forgotten. I read somewhere in a magazine long time back that one tends to be afflicted with ‘Arambha Suratva’ in telugu which translates to ‘Initial high enthusiasm’ and gradually that dies down.

We observe roads that are built but do not get repaired. Houses built a few years that don’t get repainted for years. The common complaint being lack of time, lack of money and lack of resources.

Realizing this basic problem, I have resolved to plan to maintenance of things I take efforts to create, allocate enough money and time for ensuring the same. This discipline has helped me over past couple of years to be happy and not carry a guilt feeling that I am also one of those who are afflicted by ‘Arambha Suratva’.

I request everyone to think about the efforts and resources needed for maintenance of ‘creative work’ and plan for it well ahead instead of ignoring the same. This needs lot of self-discipline. If I have succeeded to a good extent you can also do it. When maintenance is ignored it leads to a situation which becomes beyond repair and also leads to accidents. 'A stitch in time saves nine'. Remember the furore created by press when a girl died in an elevator accident in Delhi. The escalator was not being maintained for quite some time.

Think for sometime. List things that you think need maintenance. Is it your car/scooter? Is it your house? Is it your computer? Is it your garage? Anything that you feel looks dirty or disorganized has not been maintained for quite sometime. Create a recurring task for yourself in your to do list and start doing the same from today. You will feel happy and you will be energized with new enthusiasm.