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When Clean India Journal first took shape in 2005, little did we know that a simple idea would go on to define the voice of an entire industry. Twenty years later, what began as an experiment has become an institution — one that has witnessed, chronicled, and contributed to India’s incredible journey toward professional cleaning, mechanisation, and environmental responsibility. For Editor-in-Chief Mangala Chandran, it has been not just a publishing journey, but a deeply personal story of discovery, resilience, and belief in the power of clean.
lean India Journal is 20 years old? Vibrant and more energetic than ever before? Yes, exhilarating; yet, turning back, we are also wondering how, over the years, the publication coped up with the very demanding scenario in the Indian cleaning Industry influenced by the changes in the approach to cleanliness & housekeeping, globally and nationally.
“CIJ”, was conceived over a cup of tea without any fanfare or serious deliberations at Mumbai’s Nehru Centre in April 2005. The success and acceptance of the first Clean India Show by the Indian Cleaning Industry — held in the same month and at the same venue — motivated the then small VIS team to reach out to a wider audience through a publication. A simple tabloid? No, it had to be a colourful and wide-reaching magazine.
There was no looking back. For me, personally, though armed with decades of experience in publication and communication, this was like taking baby steps and learning to walk & talk. It was a comeback from a sabbatical. Holding my hands were JP as we fondly call JP Nair, Prakash Kuttappan (we miss him immensely) our all-time hero Jayaram, often remotely and a couple of others. Meeting Cleaning Industry friends and knowing their products — Johnson Diversey, Eureka Forbes, Charnock, Manmachine and others – threw open a completely new world.
Is there so much to Cleanliness and Hygiene than just mopping the floor? How do we address the professionals and the end-users at the grassroot level?
Multiple areas like technology, products, processes, market scenario and awareness had to be brought together and presented in an attractive and readable format. “Work from home” was a norm way back then too! From a tiny office located in one of the Mumbai suburbs, (we have a sprawling office today) we worked with belief and passion. Madhu, our unassuming designer created the pages for the first edition often in the printing press itself!
One thing was clear. The first issue should convey that here we were creating a voice of the Indian Cleaning Industry that would grow stronger over the years.
Sure, the inaugural cover with actors Shahrukh Khan and Preity Zinta with brooms was a hit!
The magazine has had three distinguished phases. The first one has been the longest till the Indian Government launched the Swachh Bharat Mission. People were motivated to take the brooms outside their homes too. The need for scientific and mechanised cleaning practices had already been understood across the sectors. International companies found great opportunities in India and joint ventures were happening.
Supported by the annual Clean India Show, Clean India Journal could facilitate adoption of the latest cleaning technology and equipment in multiple segments — Industries, offices, healthcare, hospitality, educational institutions, public places, malls, multiplexes and more. The Clean India Movement did add to the momentum.
By this time, the magazine had received acclaim internationally too as an effective mouthpiece of the growing Indian Cleaning Industry. The next phases helped consolidate the effort by holding regular seminars, workshops and initiatives for awareness creation across the nation.
The beauty of what the publication could achieve has been that it evolved editorially keeping pace with the industry demand. The offerings to stakeholders were also customised to bring in multiple platforms to deliver maximum benefits to them, thanks to the ingenuity of our Editor Mohana and her team.
Another key factor that made Clean India Journal is the way it could bring to its fold multiple segments starting from high end property management and facility management to linen care, vehicle care and most importantly waste management, one of the focus areas of our government.
Personally, the journey of Clean India Journal has always been my own exciting journey too, meeting interesting people, attending international expos and exploring & discovering the world of healthy living. Millions of workers, thousands of innovations, innumerable new technology, shift to digital world, remote planning and execution, high level of standards and commitment, growing demand for clean environment… all are positive factors. However, the challenges remain the same.
How do we connect the solution seekers with the right solution providers? How do we fill the gap between quality manpower demand and adequate training? Does the Facility Management department get its due place in an organisation? And more…
Summing up, team Clean India Journal is taking this opportunity to thank the industry friends who have been holding our hands and continue to do so. There are more landmarks to come.
