India’s ‘cleanest village’ bars visitors on Sundays to regain peace

NEW DELHI: When they lock their gates to the outside world every Sunday, residents of Mawlynnong get to enjoy a mandatory day of rest from overwhelming crowds, remembering how life used to be before they shot to fame as India’s cleanest village. Located in India’s mountainous state of Meghalaya, near the border with Bangladesh, Mawlynnong boasts lush green trees, flower-decked streets, and neatly maintained houses. In every corner, there is a cone-shaped bamboo dustbin, and no trace of litter an