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Civic sense a casualty
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Uncleared garbage is a common sight all over the city. Even the beach is not spared. The need of the hour is civic counsciousness. And it's time every citizen lent a hand...
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AN AERIAL view of Chennai by night fills our hearts with pride. The old Madras areas of George Town and Park town are still the heart of Chennai and the lights blaze on till late at night. In the more recently developed residential areas of Annanagar, Gopalapuram and Adyar, life virtually comes to a standstill by 10 p.m.
Multi-storeyed buildings have changed the skyline of the city in the last two decades and flyovers have transported us smoothly into the 21st century. Neon lights advertising theme parks, bowling alleys and the like add to the charm of the city while gaily lit fountains give no indication of the water scarcity. .
The nightscape of the city can stand comparison with that of any other capital in the world. But closer inspection by daylight reveals ugly flaws, which may be traced to the Chennaiite's lack of civic sense and indifference to hygiene.
The warm weather has made the seashore the most attractive place but an early morning walk along the coastline (the second longest in the world) is hardly a pleasant experience. The litter that covers the beach — plastic bags, disposable cups, bottles and wrappers — is beyond description. The few garbage bins that have been provided are rarely used. What repels one the most is people using the seashore as an open lavatory.
The Government's attempts at cosmetic surgery have not helped much as the disease is deep-rooted.
The Corporation has entrusted a private company, Chennai Environmental Services (CES)-Onyx with the responsibility of cleaning up the three major zones of Mylapore, Kodambakkam and Ice House. Everyday, hundreds of Onyx personnel, who are called Loose Litter Collectors, clean up the streets and clear the garbage but any keen observer will see the garbage back on the streets within a couple of hours.
The Corporation of Chennai has provided garbage bins at convenient points in the city. But, there is more garbage lying outside than inside the bins. This inevitably becomes a breeding ground for disease-carrying insects and rodents.
Spitting in public places is another vice in India and Chennai is no exception.
Two-wheeler riders very often have to perform acrobatics to escape being hit by spittle from bus passengers, lorry drivers and other two-wheeler riders. The walls and banisters of a Government building at Thirumanagalamare so covered with `paan'-chewed spittle that they resemble a colourful mosaic pattern.
Why are we as a nation so insensitive to such matters? Isn't it time we did something about this?
We have programmes, which scratch the surface of the issue but what we need is an awareness drive, which will create a deep-rooted sense of responsibility in every citizen. Sporadic efforts have been made and then given up.
In January, 1998, the then Governor, Ms Fathima Beevi flagged off a cleanliness campaign of the Chennai Corporation at the Raj Bhavan. The Mayor, M.K. Stalin, undertook ``awareness walks'' to ensure the success of CES-Onyx operations in the city. He tried talking to people to make them understand how each one could play an important part in creating a cleaner city.
A multi-media awareness campaign, which included audio-visual presentations, handouts, people-to-people contact and advertisements, was carried out. But nothing seems to have helped much. Stricter and more sustained measures are needed.
Children should be instilled with civic values from a tender age.
Besides, they must be made to realise that spitting and defecating in public places is a civic crime. Laws should be passed and enforced rigorously.
At the same time, the Government should consider setting apart more funds for constructing and maintaining public toilets.
Chennai's problems can be solved only if the people co-operate with the civic authorities.
HANIFA GHOSH
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