The clean villages of Samoa have left a foreign delegate to last week's Commonwealth Heads of Government in awe and he believes that his country could learn something from a tiny island nation in the Pacific.

Professor Prajapati Trivedi hails from India and is currently the Commonwealth Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Sustainable Development Goals Implementation. 

“Now that CHOGM 2024 is officially over, let me tell you that Samoa did not simply host—they were amazing!” he said on his Facebook post.

“Samoa deserves a huge round of applause (or perhaps a traditional Siva dance?) for their amazing hospitality and clockwork accuracy. This was unquestionably one of the best-organized CHOGMs ever.

“These people really could provide a master class in event management! I made the decision to forgo the conference rooms and immerse myself in Samoa's beautiful beauty with a few days left before my trip back to India. 

“And believe me, the capital, Apia, is only the beginning! With immaculate beaches that would make postcard envy, beautiful rainforests straight out of a dream book and waterfalls that appear to be falling from the sky, this place is like Mother Nature decided to show off.

“The worst part, though, is how immaculately they maintain it, not just what they own. 

“Forget "clean," Samoa is shining brightly! They have a lot to teach our Swachh Bharat campaign back in India—perhaps even a hundred lessons." 

Trivedi said Samoa had mastered the science, art, and culture of cleanliness. He said he even attempted to attribute it to the CHOGM effect, but it seems that Samoa was used to this degree of clean conditions.

“Everywhere you look in this island nation, you can see a sincere regard for the environment.  Therefore, I've included a few photos from my quick tour to give you a small idea of what I saw," he added.

“Pictures don't do this place credit, I assure you. It is necessary to visit (and experience!) Samoa in order to believe that it is a hidden gem.

“People, get ready to fall deeply in love with paradise!”

Trivedi said he would use the view as a teaching tool to teach India how to maintain things as clean and beautiful as Samoa.