Giving voice to the voiceless

Jasmine Singh

Inder Sandhu and Tina Nieri hold on to the disposable glass during the entire walk and talk conversation till they find a Use Me. While they dispose off their respective cups, Tina picks up others that are littered around the bin and puts them where they should ideally be. “Chandigarh ko saaf rakho,” this is what I learnt when I came to the city three months back, Tina says it in the only Hindi sentence she knows. Tina has come down to Chandigarh to join Inder Sandhu, who has come back from the US, after working there as a mechanical engineer for 18 years. Together, the two run Peedu’s People: Educating humans about UNDERdogs.

Even though the two know everything about the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, the two feel it has been reduced to only hiring more sweepers. “Cleanliness is not one person’s task, it is everyone’s job,” share the duo who started their drive from the Panjab University campus in Chandigarh and still function regularly.

Amidst amazed looks, suppressed giggles and curious onlookers, Inder and Tina go around the campus with their trash-picking sticks, teaching by example. “Our civic sense has gone for a toss, and we want to show by example that each one of us is responsible for the environment,” adds Inder who says that they have never been ashamed of anyone or even been rude to a defaulter. “We nicely approach the person who has littered and ask if they don’t mind to pick it. Many a times they get embarrassed, and at other times, they apologise and promise not to litter. And this is our job done,” the two flash a genuine relaxed smile.

As volunteers from various schools like St. John’s High School in Sector-26 and PU students join in; Peedu’s aim of positive reinforcement is gaining momentum and also showing results. The two have not yet sought any monetary support from the Chandigarh administration, but they are happy with how the PU authorities and the people in Chandigarh have been supportive of their work. “We collected 200 challans for the No honking drive,” Tina reminds us of the success of the drive.

As the two vegans go around the Tricity, providing help, shelter and care for the stray animals and keeping the city clean, they feel there is lot more that can be done, in a respectful manner. “Finding walls in the Tricity where we can get graffiti or murals done is our next thing on our mind. Many of our artist friends are ready to help in this drive, but we need to seek permission from the administration first,” shares the duo.

jasmine@tribunemail.com