India, Feb. 7 -- The Mysuru City Corporation's upcoming Swachh Marathon, organised as part of Swachh Survekshan 2025-2026, is yet another well-intentioned attempt to raise public awareness about cleanliness.

The stated goals are admirable: Waste segregation, responsible disposal, citizen participation and feedback.

But a question raised by a reader in a letter published yesterday cuts to the heart of the matter: Does awareness actually translate into action?

The honest answer, almost always, is NO.

In recent years, marathons, walkathons, human chains, rallies and symbolic protests have become the preferred instruments of "public engagement."

They are easy to organise, visually appealing, media-friendly and politically safe. Unfortuna...