Changing Times
Cleaning business in India has evolved to make a difference in just over a decade. There has been a tremendous change since 2004 when I entered into the cleaning business,” says Anjana, adding, “it is all about awareness and people know the importance of cleaning; unlike in the past when getting across ‘conceptualized cleaning’ was a big challenge.”
Traditionally, cleaning being more prevalent as a manual concept, using the humble broom and cotton cloth, the invasion of better methods of cleaning using advanced technology of microfibres and green cleaning aids required constant and patient stress.“Gradually, people have started using these in daily cleaning.”
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Interestingly, Aditi manufactures home hygiene products in a factory located in a remote area where more than 80% of workers are women from the nearby villages. “Women being fetish for cleanliness, know its importance and have better knowledge. In a way it also helps these women contribute better to their families.”
Gender Disparity
While most would agree that women are more successful in certain businesses, in the cleaning industry, the issues have not been many in terms of gender disparity.
“Never faced discrimination as woman; the industry have been very supportive,” says Anjana. And every business has trials, be it for women or men.
“I take business challenges positively and see no harm in pitching myself as any other man does,” adds Archana on a positive note. However, considering the Indian cleaning industry, which is much unorganised, the emphasis on discipline in cleaning and getting it across the table itself has been a wearisome endeavour for many. “Yes, it does turn challenging when it comes to dealing with government organisations. Even though I have the licenses in place, records clear and high standards of compliance and regulations maintained, my applications have been extremelydelayed. It was tough-going during the initial set up as I was venturing into a male oriented industry,” says Aditi.
As an official in a passing reference had mentioned, “it gets a bit awkward to do monetary dealings with women”. While this may be true in certain segments, women largely have been successful in bagging good contracts and gender discrimination in such cases have worked to their advantage.
“I wouldn’t say discrimination, but yes, my presence in this field has always been greeted with a surprise in the first instance. Being a chemical engineer and having worked at Reliance Industries Ltd (Operations and Technology), I am always questioned as to why I would leave such a lucrative job to enter a field like this,” says Kaanti.
Highlighting some of the operational problems, Kaanti adds that at times being a woman does involve a lot of resistance from the team below. “In the shop floor people do get defiant when trying to understand their woes and concerns in cleaning. There is scepticism while dealing with vendors too. However, irrespective of gender, as long as you can prove your mettle and let people know that you are serious about your work, it all works out fine.”
In such circumstance, perseverance yields results, adds Aditi. “Since my factory is setup in a village, I faced resistance from all fronts – local politicians, villagers, and police to the gram panchayat. Setting up the factory was a Herculean task; especially as a woman it was difficult to handle everyone in a male oriented field. I faced situations where manoeuvring around with all these people in terms of negotiations, constructing the property, appointing labourers and getting the licences in place. Having said that, gradually we overcame through all these issues.”
Client Experience
Cleanliness, as such is a necessity, but most consider it as an option, except where cleaning is inevitable. “I have found the hospitality sector does have a pro-cleaning approach. A lot of housekeepers are interested in conceptualised cleaning and are always keen to new techniques and products,” opines Anjana.
It would be difficult to say that one segment is more pro-cleaning than the other because everyone wants a clean surrounding. The difference comes in “as they feel that their
budgets can be squeezed on cleaning easily, which makes it almost impossible, for use of skilled manpower, and right tools and chemicals. The localised approach of still cleaning with acids & alkalis, is rather shameful
in the professional area, however it is client driven and the rates allocated,” says Archana.
“Today, with the widespread general awareness, households from humble backgrounds too are understanding the importance of hygiene and cleanliness. In all, it is a procleaning attitude,” adds Aditi.
Cleaning in India today
“There is definitely an impact and I am hopeful there will be a positive change and it will bring more awareness. This will make our work easier with people readily accepting newer ways of cleaning. But, I would also like to say that education is very important for Swachh Bharat Abhiyan to become a success,” explains Anjana.
The campaign is significant as there are huge investments and funding being pumped in to achieve the goal of a clean India. While, there is no direct link to the cleaning industry, “it is up to people like us in the cleaning Industry to dip in to this reserve to implement the vision of the honourable PM in an organised manner,” says Archana.
On a positive note, Aditi feels that the campaign, which has taken on the entire nation right from the common man to the politician, with the symbolic broom will move up to the next level. “The matter will not be taken lightly anymore, but now will be enforced vigorously. Cleaning industry will benefit, as now the demand for professional cleaning products would increase and this would in turn help further employment of women in the rural areas and villages.”
Definitely the campaign has helped in pushing cleanliness per se a notch higher on people’s priority list. “However, we need to ensure that it doesn’t end up becoming a photo activity but actually helps create an ownership mind-set,” warns Kaanti. Now that a healthy attitude towards cleanliness is getting promoted, “we as a part of the cleaning industry should capitalize on this perspective change”.
The campaign definitely created an awareness and feel for cleanliness but has it actually promoted the concept of professional cleaning? As Kaanti rightly points out that the campaign is just evolving to become a photo feature in the media with people posing with the broom.
Well, what is professional with the broom? What is sustainable? What is cleaning at all in this whole campaign? “In my opinion, we should contribute to the campaign by bringing new ways of cleaning and making people aware of it,” says Anjana.
“In fact, we can contribute directly as we are the source where cleaning related products are concerned. They will be procuring from us,” says Aditi.
Agreed that cleaning products have to be sourced from the cleaning industry and there has to be a major contribution towards creating awareness of these products, but has the industry got the kind of products to suit this campaign?
“The foremost point of contribution would be product development. There is tremendous scope for innovation in chemistry. We need to educate the masses to help them judge product quality. Besides, a clean environment should not be a privilege enjoyed by few as it is a basic necessity of everybody. We need to promote a socially inclusive model wherein even people at the bottom of the pyramid have access to basic cleaning needs. The ultimate goal should be to help recreate the clean India image and we as a part of the cleaning industry have a major role to play in it,” emphasises Kaanti.
Over and above, “I strongly feel, that Clean India Journal along with senior members of the cleaning industry, should form an action plan in different areas and present it to the PMO for implementation,” says Archana.
The Kitchen Queen
Cooking delicious and appetising food is just a small part of a culinary artist’s goal. The bigger goal is retaining hygiene throughout the process. “When it comes to hygiene, there can be no cutting corners. We as chefs are responsible for ensuring the highest of standards across all of our offerings – right from the point raw ingredients enter the hotel till the time cooked food is served to our guests – all the set standards of hygiene & cleanliness are strictly followed.”
This does not come easy. Perfecting each and every step in kitchen needs enormous training. “The hotel management has to spend a lot of money to train all their chefs and make sure they all get certified on food safety standards by the respective municipalities.” Women, who rule kitchen at their homes are seldom found in the “cooking business”. Why this disparity? “I think there is a difference between the cooking at hotel and cooking at home. Cooking athotels require a lot of physical strength, especially while working in the hot kitchens.”
Tackling Criticism
“In the very beginning of my career, I was assigned to work in Tandoor section with all men around. Couple of my colleagues in my department were not happy, thinking that being a girl I would not be able to survive the heat. They even went to the chef showing their concern for the same. Being a strong believer in action, I wanted to prove them wrong through my work. Thanks to all the criticism made then! Today, I am regarded as tandoor specialist. The criticism helped me emerge stronger while achieving what I wanted.”
Growing Opportunities…
“I think the status of women in India has been subject to great many changes, and for the past few years it has been eventful. In modern India, women have proven themselves and can work in any area without restrictions like previous times.
With changing role of women, another core area that is fast witnessing changes in India is cleanliness. The Prime Minister’s initiative and plan of action, are appreciated but cleanliness should come from the heart and people must think twice before littering in public places.
Dedicated Approach to Community Development
Wi
th an earnest attempt to provide the cleanest cinema chain in india, PVR adopted the Swachha PVR Drive/Clean PVR Campaign across all its properties. The 45-day campaign,
kick started from January 20, is a pan India campaign which is conducted across 44 cities with an inclusion of approximately 3000 PVR staff in all 104 multiplexes.
The campaign witnessed the enthusiastic PVR staff taking part in cleaning with brooms and mops to make the surroundings cleaner and healthier. The activity was carried out at Elante mall (Chandigarh), MBD mall (Jalandhar) and Silver Arc mall (Ludhiana) of Punjab.
The campaign stands as one of the strongest forums that brings the PVR staff together to engage, motivate, appreciate and celebrate the spirit of cleanliness. The campaign would also see a special felicitation and award session. Every day, the best performing PVR staff is awarded as “Aajka hero” after a complete analysis of the multiplex campus.
Waste Management
The company spends that extra bit on purchase of consumable material such as paper plates and tissue papers, which are made from 100% recycled fibres. The agents used for
shading, like hydrogen peroxide, are eco-friendly.
The CSR Activities
Being the largest and premium film and retail entertainmentcompany in India, we understand our responsibilities. PVR Nest foundation works with Children at Risk (Childscapes) on their completerehabilitation, education, nutrition, healthcare and employability,
All our partnerships are evolved after following a multi-step process of analyzing a unity in vision and purpose with an emphasis on goals laid down to achieve the common objectives in mutually discussed time frames. All our partnerships are subject to continuous monitoring and evaluation.
Funding mechanisms for the foundation are in line with the Section 135 of the Companies Act 2013, wherein PVR Limited puts the 2% of the average net profits made during the three preceding years. It strictly follows the Schedule VII indicating the activities that can be undertaken by the company’s foundation. Additionally, the foundation raises partnerships/ funding to collaborate on developing large scalable education programmes on behavioral change and leadership development.
The foundation focuses on
- Education and social development of the most vulnerable sections of our society: Promoting education, healthcare, nutrition and rehabilitation to Children at risks (Street Children)
- Hunger, Poverty, Malnutrition and Health-Eradicating hunger, poverty and malnutrition and promoting preventive healthcare
- Sanitation and Safety
- Gender Equality: Creating scalable education campaigns and programmes to popularise the issue of gender equality. We believe that having inbuilt capabilities, women can do wonders in sectors like hospitality
- Environmental Sustainability: Creating education campaigns on environmental sustainability, ecological balance, protection of flora & fauna, natural resource, water, air and soils.
‘War on Wastage’
Established three decades ago, Cremica Group including Cremica Frozen Foods, EBI Foods, Mrs Bector’s Desserts and Cremica Agro India, has emerged as a leading food brand having a pool of reputed customers such as McDonalds, ITC, Pizza Hut, Barista, Taj Hotels and Cadbury. “The journey has been very good, but the secret of the success lies in the honest hard work in the form of cleanliness & hygiene that we pour in our food products. We are very conscious of cleanliness and food hygiene.
“Latest equipment and tools have been installed wherever possible, across all our premises. Having said that, let me clarify… cleanliness is not only about the area but a ‘clean premise’ stands for the entire system – clean machines, shop-floor and above all clean people that are working at the premise.
“This needs an all-encompassing training. We have in-house set up for cleaning. Thousands of staff work on a daily basis to ensure that cleanliness & hygiene standards and guidelines are being maintained across the premise. Regular training is provided at all levels to ensure healthy organisational development and awareness on the
essentiality of cleanliness & hygiene maintenance.
“In fact, we are creating a slogan in the factory – WOW: War on Wastage. With this message we have also planned to reduce current waste by 50% within the next one to two years. The waste is being reduced wherever possible. And, the premise is now in a process to attain zero discharge tag. Wastewater, post treatment are used in gardening and urinals.”