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| Indore Mayor hits the streets promoting cleanliness |
I
happened to be in Indore during the survey for the national cleanliness
competition. The effort put up by the Indore municipal corporation was most
impressive.
Earlier,
I happened to have noticed the efforts of the Indore Municipal Corporation when
I was on way back from Jaipur via Indore in November last. It appeared to have
been a massive effort to win the first position. Somewhat fading signs of their
efforts were still visible. The publicity seemed to have been of saturation
level with all available walls plastered with slogans and graphics accompanied
by the ubiquitous pair of specs of Mahatma Gandhi.
From
the efforts that were being made this year it was quite evident that the
municipal corporation was determined to retain its top position that was
awarded to it in the first annual survey last year. As I went around the town
on my businesses I found it to be a tremendous experience. I had to run around
in autos on various errands and I kept my eyes peeled to see all the tell-tale
signs of the massive effort put in by the municipality.
Unlike
Bhopal, very well done-up roads were spotlessly clean. It was noticeable from
the very point where our vehicle moved into the town. As is their wont, the
autos took me through the lanes and by lanes. All were devoid of any litter. And
almost everywhere there were slogans - some old and some newly painted with the
same content. The painted slogans and graphics were done in professional manner
that held attention. Good quality paint had been used for painting on the walls
and, despite the prosaic content, they looked attractive. The paint jobs done
in Bhopal on several public walls look pedestrian In comparison.
The slogans were mostly for cleanliness, like
use of dustbins by householders, shopkeepers and everybody else, use of toilets
for attending to nature's calls, and so on. Very effective use has been made of
public spaces in a pleasant manner. BRTS buses have been painted in a very
bright and colourful manner to disseminate information. The use of bright
yellow has cleverly been used to capture people’s attention. What I saw was
almost like carpet bombing; there was no escape from it. None could probably
avoid being exposed to the campaign. It was as if the need to keep the city
clean was being rammed down people’s throats.
The
campaign and its execution on the ground has been exceptionally good surely ensuring
for Indore a higher rank than other towns of MP. If it happens, as I believe it
will, it would be very well deserved. From all evidences, the campaign for “swachcha
bharat” has been carried out very imaginatively and sincerely and in vast
contrast to what has been done in Bhopal. Mere sweeping with big brooms of
carefully selected sites by the chief minister and the mayor, as was done in
Bhopal, doesn't carry any conviction. Such efforts are, at best, photo ops giving
the impression of being insincere, even deceitful - as fraudulent as the
assurances and promises of the protagonists.
It might be recalled that last year there were
murmurs that the second position was obtained for Bhopal by unscrupulous means.
Worse, many of us were surprised to see the city walk away with the second rank
as it never in anybody’s imagination could achieve a rank among the first five.
Here, whether it is the mayor or the councilors, they do not put in sincere
efforts. Reports abound that they generally are busy making money by, inter
alia, disfiguring the cityscape by installing illegal hoardings, installing kiosks
(gumties) or introducing for monetary considerations pushcarts to create
congestions in streets that are already chock-a-block with vehicular traffic.
Though I live in Bhopal I would like Indore to
top the rankings as the civic body there appears to be more sincere and honest
in pursuit of its objectives. Its relentless efforts have encouraged the
citizens to keep the city clean. Even the drivers of the autos proudly said
that Indore had now become clean and beautiful. Such an expression of
satisfaction and contentment is a huge take-away for the municipal corporation.
*Photo from internet
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