WHILE going to my office in a posh area Rajbagh, one of the first things that strikes a person is the garbage and filth around. What aggravates the whole situation is the apparent lack of concern among us all. We become second nature of people walking on the street, nimbly sidestepping the dirt and germ filled puddles and wrinkling our noses at the stench of decaying rubbish strewn on the streets, while we carelessly flick away our own food wrappers or send streams of spit across the road. Spitting and urinating in the streets is common habit among most people. Consider the scene in government hospital toilets: mud and dirt lie thick on the floors.
 If we respect, understand and practice cleanliness within the confines of our own homes, why do we forsake it like a discarded coat the moment we step out on the streets? Why does our psyche find it so difficult to accept that we are the citizens of the whole country and not just the 4 walls of home? We should try to maintain certain dignified standards in our behavior in keeping with the norms of our place of residence.
 The enormity of problem makes escapism an easy response. “What difference would my effort make against the fact that millions of others are doing the opposite?” But should that mean I too join the multitude and become a litterbug just because everyone else is. We should all try to develop a civic sense.

Romisa Gangoo
Srinagar

Lastupdate on : Sun, 12 Feb 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 12 Feb 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:00:00 IST