Abhiyan

Abhiyan is a term used in several Indian languages, derived from Sanskrit, that denotes an organized campaign, initiative, or expedition. In contemporary usage, it is commonly appended to the names of government, non-government, and civil-society programs to signal a coordinated effort aimed at achieving specific social, economic, or public-health goals.

The word is of Sanskrit origin and is widely adopted in Hindi, Marathi, Kannada, and other languages to indicate a systematic drive or mission.

In modern India, Abhiyan names are used for large-scale programs. The most well-known example is Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission), launched in 2014 to improve sanitation and reduce open defecation. Similar campaigns, often nationwide in scope, rely on defined objectives, timelines, and budgets, with responsibility distributed among central ministries, state governments, and local authorities. Abhiyan programs are typically accompanied by public communications, on-ground deployment, and progress reporting.

Impact and evaluation of Abhiyan campaigns varies. Proponents cite heightened public awareness and infrastructure gains, while critics note uneven implementation, funding shortfalls, and the difficulty of measuring long-term outcomes across diverse regions.