Garbage, city, city, garbage


I was caught in a rain couple of weeks back. So there I stood stranded next to a chai stall, as friendly car drivers swooshed past splashing wet mud from the roads at me.

I could start now at the insensitivity of people towards others, of motorists towards pedestrians and of pedestrians towards motorists, but I will not. So while I had to spend almost twenty minutes frozen in the middle of nowhere I was still not regretting it a bit because Bangalore rains are so charming. This was till I turned around to take a peak behind the stall. Here's what I saw....



Here was the testimony that generations of people had had chai at this very stall and left their cups as legacy. Nobody had bothered to clean it up or thought they added to the beauty of the scenic trees in the background. I would normally be extremely angry but this time I just felt so hopeless and exasperated. We keep our homes so clean and this is what we do to our cities and states. Why can't all shop keepers / vendors, especially those selling food items, put dustbins? And if there aren't none, how much time will it take for customers to walk to the nearest dustbin? 

I have visited a lot of cities and states in India --- the story is pretty much the same everywhere, disheartening and disappointing. 

But seeing the garden city slowly turn into a garbage city has been truly heartbreaking.


Comments

Anita Sabat said…
Canary, I was thinking the same just while walking on the streets in Bangalore today morn... It's the story everywhere...
Glad you have expressed this. Wish everyone had the sense of not to litter...
Canary said…
What a coincidence, Anita :)
Still feeling a bit cynical if expressing this will have any impact...
BloggerWlogger said…
Its so true Canary! Am a resident of Kolkata and it is exactly same here! May be we cannot stop such a huge mass but we surely have to keep clean ourselves! A touching piece!
Anmol Rawat said…
I believe you can find it in all the cities. BTW I loved Chandigarh. The city is too clean and green. Clearly stands out as an exception.

Nice Post :)
Ramakrishnan said…
Sad commentary on India and Indians but very true. The same guys/gals who chuck the cups on the wayside would walk up to the nearest garbage can when they travel abroad.
monica said…
So true, People care less about keep the vicinity clean as long as their feet fall on clean pathways.
I am glad you brought it to everyone's notice.. People should really start being responsible..
Rahul Bhatia said…
Sad to see the insensitivity to our surroundings! Wish people learn to preserve, at least in the New Year:0
Red Handed said…
You know if it a garden in your locality. You should definitely take an initiative and do something.
sad right :(
Canary said…
@Preeti: Valid suggestions.. Yes been to Kolkata and witnessed it myself... Reminded me to old Delhi where people seem to be holding on to 1825s way of living amid dirt and filth...

@Anmol: That's one city I haven't been to, but heard a lot about.. wish more take a leaf out of its book!

@Ram: True that! Wonder if its the fear of fines or an inferiority complex abroad!
Canary said…
I'm glad it struck a chord with you Jemina.. you're so right!

@Rahul: Amen to that.. there are some positive changes in the country.. hope cleanliness is another wave of 2014!

@RH: No, this is not a garden, only a wild stretch along the ring road. But I appreciate your thought, will discuss with my friends if I can do something about it :)
Renu said…
Same story everywhere..feel very sad, when will people learn:(
Canary said…
@Renu: I'm wondering if we can do something to educate people?

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