Garbage has been spoken about, written about, and most of all cribbed about.Everyone has a problem with garbage, but what do we do about it? The answer is simple — nothing. It is left where it is, untouched.Civic agencies like the BBMP have been doing their best to tackle the issue. There have been many initiatives that have been undertaken, ‘segregation at the source’, designated garbage dumpyards and generating electricity from garbage, being some of them. But what is the average Bangalorean doing? Making an effort to clear the mess or adding to it? ‘The Ugly Indian’, a group of Bangaloreans, who care enough to do something about the current state of civic affairs have taken it upon themselves to ensure that the city is kept the way it is meant to be. On the condition of anonymity, the members who call themselves the ugly Indians, decided to do something. “There is no substitute for actually trying.The learnings are fast once you dirty your hands.Each day is a learning experience,” said an ugly Indian.However, they do not see a point in making a big hue and cry about the work they do, for ‘if you are sincere, you will get support from everyone around you’.According to them if you mean well, no one will stop you from keeping the city clean. “An open garbage dump is a crisis, and so we plunge in and try to solve it.Slowly the people involved (those who litter and those who clear up notice the effort) and if they see you as sincerely trying to help, they will not object,” they claim. If someone wishes to sweep the road in front of their house, by all means they can. The Ugly Indian has taken up a number of initiatives like, clearing garbage, fixing footpath slabs, providing dustbins and ashtrays, painting walls and much more.“One doesn’t need to take permission to do things that are legal, good for the society and don’t trouble anyone or take their money. We ensure that we do not violate anyone’s jurisdiction either,” they said.Off late many responsible Bangaloreans have taken responsibility for their city.It seems that the public has finally woken up and decided to roll up their sleeves and get involved. It has finally sunk in that it is as much their responsibility as it is of the BBMP or any other civic agency. Cleaning parks, drawing attention towards dying lakes and even recycling garbage on their own are classic examples of the awakening of the dormant civic sense.S Harish, deputy mayor, BBMP, said,“The people are free to do their bit to keep their city clean and tidy, after all it is their city.” He further added that there are no restrictions and the BBMP is more than willing to help the public. “There is no procedure or paperwork required. If people inform the local officials of the area about what they would like to do to improve it, the officials will be more than happy to help them.” Speaking of the rapport shared by the ugly Indian and the civic agencies, they said that the government always blames the ‘public’ for lack of support, and rightly so.“The ‘government’ representative is the sweeper and truck driver. They are underpaid class-four employees who are treated badly by the public and are ill equipped for their job.We focus on improving the working conditions of the lowest wage workers, and that is why we get support from them (and their superiors).They become more efficient at what they do. We work along with them, go in their trucks, share meals and join their team — and if more of us did that, things would change dramatically,” they said.
Comments
0 comment