Clean Mumbai , Green Mumbai

Everyone might have seen this slogan at bus stops, railway stations, public parks, cinema halls. But the irony is, you will find someone littering the place or spitting exactly where this slogan in huge letters stands. Maybe they are trying to hide it. Some times I also witness the 'Clean Mumbai' drives organized by some communities involving college students cleaning up the streets in the hope to inspire the citizens to do the same. But has it really been successful in cleaning the attitude of those countless people who are responsible for it? All they know is their life & cleaning their homes and they very casually throw the wrappers, tickets and anything in the unwanted and unneeded category in their hands or mouth at that point of time on the roads. I feel sorry for their kids, who will be getting the same habits from their parents and sadly this custom will go on for years. This has to stop somewhere! At least we can expect this from the educated crowd. Today, in our busy lives, we have become so accustomed to this, that we hardly even notice our neighbor in the train or bus doing it, let alone taking some steps to prevent it.

Everywhere there are huge piles of plastic stuff accumulated over the years. I see dogs, cats & sometimes even cattle searching food in those bags & the poor creatures sometimes even eat the leftovers along with the plastic bags. There is a consistent red color belt in between the tracks, the source of which I need not explain. The subways are filthy with dirt, waste, spitoon & red 'pichkaris'. I particularly use this word, because that is what the people consider their mouths to be. Its a wonder if you can pass through it without holding a handkerchief up your nose. I keep a habit of maintaining safe distance when walking alongside a waiting rickshaw or bus, because you never know, what might land up on your head or your dress. It's pointless to explain the scenes that you are also a witness to in daily life. Its the same everywhere & we just need to be more aware of our surroundings & their causes to act on it.

Here in Mumbai, its a 'sab chalta hai' attitude and a 'rasta tumhara hain kya?' response if you ever try to do good by forbidding the person to spit or throw garbage on the road. On the other hand, he/she will also give you a fresh demo about how helpless you are in changing him/her by repeating the deed in front of your eyes again. Nevertheless, you might even know of people who have different rules for disposing waste in India & abroad. What can be the solution for this?

The ATTITUDE is the problem. Unless there is payment of your hard earned money as compensation for these deeds, nobody will even care to stop. I think volunteers for this drive can take up the charge & have valid identity cards & power in their hands to demand money from such people. And when people realize that anyone in the crowd they are standing or sitting in can be a member of that drive, they will think twice before spitting in public places or littering it. The money collected in this way can in turn go to the BMC or charity. I am sure they will earn millions this way. What the responsible people need is power in their hands to handle the irresponsible that they meet everyday.

I am ready to be such a member of any such drives that gives me this power to stand up & speak without being humiliated by the miscreant. After all, isn't that what is being expected from a true Mumbaikar? I am sure you would agree. Any suggestions, comments or views on improving the current scene are welcome.