Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad   

Getting better of litter

The success of any programme depends on participation of stakeholders.

So, Buddha Purnima Project Authority's campaign to ban litter plastic bags around Hussain Sagar lake and Necklace Road should be a success given the response of vendors and kiosk owners in the area. Linking the success of the `no plastic bag litter' campaign with the livelihood of the vendors certainly had the right impact.

"Litter makes the lake area unhygienic besides rendering it unappealing for visitors. That is bound to affect the vendors' business. Better upkeep translates into more visitors and thriving business." This message literally had everyone pledging cooperation.

Noted child rights activist, Shanta Sinha, was in the city the other day. But she was here in the new avatar of chairperson, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. Representatives of various NGOs who turned up to interact with her were at a loss for words. Should they address her as madam, chairperson or simply Shanta? "We are both sad and happy. Sad because we lost you and happy because one of us is there in Delhi," remarked Isidore Phillips, director, Divya Disha.

Similar views were shared by others. A right person at the right spot and at the right time. "This has given us confidence in the system," some felt. An elderly lady hoped Shanta would become as popular and accessible as A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. The overwhelmed Magsaysay awardee brushed aside the hype and asked the NGOs to strengthen the Commission by acting as watchdogs.

Not for nothing Andhra Pradesh, particularly Hyderabad, has the dubious distinction of having the highest consumption levels of liquor in the country. Come summer and the `spirits' touch an all new `high'! Drinking water could be scarce in parts of the State Capital, more so the surrounding municipalities, but liquor flows freely, a fact that is captured in the picture transporting empty beer bottles on a hot and humid evening on the Madhapur Road. Hick hick hurray to Hyderabadi guzzlers for staying above the national per capita consumption of spirits!

J.S. Ifthekhar and K.V.S. Madhav

M.L. Melly Maitreyi,

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Getting better of litter

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