Since most of us have been born and brought up in our City Beautiful, we have probably become immune to the degeneration that is taking place around us. Just because something has been happening for a long time and just because no one has objected to an activity in the past, does not mean that it is correct or should become acceptable.
Can we, CATS, not break the so called behaviours and norms? Can we, CATS, not challenge inappropriate actions taking place around us everyday?
I am not talking about moving mountains, flowery speeches, court arrests or a nationwide revolution. I am thinking more of a small ripple which begins in a river by throwing a little pebble. That ripple creates many more counter ripples to create a little wave, a wave which eventually reaches the shore.
I am talking about basic human behaviour working towards appreciating what is around us and help improve our City by bringing about a change in our own behaviour. I am thinking of basic human courtesies we must extend to others, for we expect these in return. We can not enjoy the luxury of rights without being responsible.
I was enraged when yesterday at The Rock Garden put together painstakingly over a number of years by Mr Nek Chand, I found an empty bag of chips left by the board which read, 'Please do not litter'. The bin was merely 2meters away from the board! Tiny terracotta balls of 2” diameter had either been stolen as souvenirs by the couth visitors; the rest had graffiti written across their tiny bodies. Ram Sundars and Madhus had encouraged even Daves and Alishas to deface these tiny balls, shamefully so.
This callous behaviour has to stop, somewhere, eventually.
From this week onwards, indignantly I throw a small pebble into the moving waters which bind CATS together, hoping to create a little ripple of thoughts which would help create an improved life for everyone, in Chandigarh at least.
This hazy photograph was taken by me at Tagore Theatre on 25th of Mar’09 just when the Hassya Kavi Sammelan organized by Rajasthan Society of Chandigarh was to commence. What the basic camera of my old mobile phone in a dimly lit Tagore Theatre was trying to capture is, a young woman whilst sitting seat no.23 of row H holding up her toddler by the thighs after pulling her pants down, so that the child could pee in the aisle itself of our newly refurbished Tagore Theatre.
At first I could not believe what my eyes were seeing, then I felt enraged but before I could actually get up and piece this woman a piece of my mind, she disappeared. When I shared with a few of my fellow CATS, suggestions soon started floating in to check this kind of behavior. One suggested that management of Tagore Theatre should leave a bin liner on every seat. Another wanted me to get up and ask for the address of this woman so that we could follow up with much more appropriate response – A baby diaper from each CAT delivered to her house perhaps! I personally felt like going up to the poet Surinder Sharma and let him handle this situation in his own comical way.
I am sure you have your own stories to share. Do send me a photograph of an incident which gets your goat, with a write up of about 100words. We will publish it on our blog. I can’t promise any overnight positive change, if at all, but let us at least raise our voice against unacceptable behavior. If not in others, let’s at least inculcate values within, which we wish to see in others.
If you have any doubts what such thoughts is going to achieve, then allow me to give you a practical example. Since inception CATS has followed a single focused motto, 'Do not litter'. Over the last 18months, I have come across numerous examples of CATS actively following this motto. During the heritage walk that took place in October of 2007, CATS were the only people who were seen picking up litter from the road we were walking and ensuring that we clear our litter after having breakfast at the War Memorial. During our trip to Leh last July, we stopped foreigners who apologized to us, after we had spotted them throwing rubbish bag out of their taxi on way back form Khardunga La. CATS also went around Tikkar Taal and literally bullied people who were found littering the beautiful lawns. Regular CATS are known to have cans and paper tissues floating inside their cars as they wait to reach home to deposit the rubbish in the bin. It may be operating at a very personal level, but we can not but acknowledge the fact – It is working.
Let there is a word of caution though, this is NOT a civil policing initiative. It’s merely to kindle a sense of responsibility towards other human beings and towards our environment.
CAT Supreet
5 comments:
The incident at tagore theatre mentioned in the blog is UTTERLY GROSS AND TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. It is a big shame on the part of the women who shamelessly conducted this act (God knows what moral values has her parents given to her). I wish that someone had taken a clear picture of her which we could have put on internet to teach her a lesson of her life.
Hi Supreet,
I am with u all guyz on this coz what gets my goat most in d society is uncouth behaviour of few, and unconcerned responses form others.
I try & make it a point 2 accost anybody who throws something in my view, to pick it up & look for a bin 2 throw it. But having said that, I guess equally important is 2 have such bins around d city 2 make it a habit amongst Chandigarhians & those visiting this absolutely beautiful city.
Guyz we need 2 have a sense of utmost pride in our city and whenever we come across such incidents, we ought to either request that individual politely, or make a spectacle as per Supreet's Tagore Theatre incident which is absolutely unacceptable.
Anywayz, can we CATS, on behalf of the city pool some money and ensure litter bins around d city.....
Regards,
Amit Dhaumya
Supreet,
You are so right. Unfortunately, disdain for others comfort and safety is hardwired into Indian psyche and thinking, unless the other person is wealthier or more influential/powerful than yourself.
On observing such behaviour we can rant and rave all we want but we cannot shame a nation to reform. I have stopped being confrontational when I come across such incidents of indecency. I prefer requesting, enlightening and appealing to their conscience. Often it works and sometimes it doesn't.
Its important to dissociate yourself from the outcome of your talk. That way you don't come away in a sour mood.
- Uday
We Indians have lost sense of proportion and empathy. We are at our best when in Switzerland or Singapore, but not in our own country. We do not spit and litter in other countries but do so with impunity in our own.
Let's take a vow as CATS, that I, AS RESPONSIBLE CITIZEN AND ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS DENIZEN OF THIS PLANET EARTH WOULD DO MY BEST TO KEEP THIS WORLD, NEAT, CLEAN, AND GREEN, AND BEAUTIFUL FOR MY CHILDREN.
I think civility, if enforced from outside, leaves a bad taste in the mouth for both the enforcer and the enforced. One must protest at somebody's inconsiderate behavior, but I think indignation is counterproductive, as what does one achieve by it except one's own agitation.
There are unfortunate mistakes and aberrations and instances of callousness all around us, but instead of reacting with agitation and indignation, may I suggest that one remain calm and politely suggest to the other that he/she should be more considerate.
Indignation and a rude retort will probably make the other defensive and lead to a spat instead of learning.
The real solution is obviously an education, and setting an example, in courtesy and consideration, and it has to start from our homes, schools and places of work. How each of us relates to other human beings, the disadvantaged, animals, people less intelligent/capable/efficient than us, etc. I think each of us needs to start from oneself.
Do we get irritated, are we inconsiderate at times, when we see somebody's mistake do we point it out without malice, etc.
Do note that I am not advocating a silent surrender to others' callousness. Neither surrender, nor indignation, but ... a polite protest. If the person brushes off the polite protest, are you willing to fight it out?
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