What about our own accountability?

One is used to seeing garbage dumps in cities and towns, but it is sad to see these dumps proliferating even in villages these days. During my regular cycling through the countryside, one finds plastic and garbage strewn along the roads. Even village streets have garbage dumps. It shows how plastic and polythene bags have invaded the rural areas. It also reflects lack of garbage collection in the villages. What will happen to our cities and villages, if the garbage dumps keep multiplying? As if the coronavirus ‘invasion’ was not enough, such filth will further lead to diseases and unhygienic living.

What’s wrong with us? Why are we so unclean by nature, with poor civic sense, and even poorer accountability? We see polythene lying in the centre of the road, but none of us will pick it up and throw it in the nearby dustbin. Rather, we will curse the authorities. We will pass through the market, lamenting the dirty streets and unruly traffic.

At the railway station, we will blame the authorities for the stray menace and the congested parking area. At the end of the day, we will blame the government for everything wrong happening in the country. And still burst crackers on festivals, despite the ban. Who cares!

Now, dear me! Where is my own accountability as a citizen? What have I done to make things better? Am I not a part of civil society, and isn’t civil society a part of the government? My aim is to emphasise collective responsibility, based on individual accountability. Unless we stop being apathetic and assist in keeping the surroundings clean no authority can achieve its desired results.

We are aiming for smart cities. Let’s first be smart ourselves. It’s time we recognised our identity as a citizen. Each one of us makes this nation. Each one of us is responsible for its growth and cleanliness. In whatever position we are, we have to realise our individual and collective responsibility, and do our bit.

The authorities need to go on the ground and ensure regular garbage collection and disposal, a system which is inadequate. Please take stock of the garbage collection system, sanitation staff and waste treatment plants. You will find it highly inadequate. Public conveniences are few and far between, mostly unclean and stinking, putting off people.

An asset is of no use unless it is well maintained. There is a need to spread awareness in the villages to avoid the use of plastic and polythene bags. Garbage bins need to be placed in the villages as well, and cleared regularly. Let’s be clean by nature, and make cleanliness our habit.