‘‘The real dirt of India lies not in our streets but in our minds…”
SHILLONG: A recent exhortation by the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee in Gujarat has found resonance here in Meghalaya.
On Tuesday, the President while appealing the masses to go strongly with Swachh Bharat Mission said that the society has to look within first as,”The real dirt of India lies not in our streets but in our minds…” if taken by its straight meaning is so relevant in the context of Meghalaya that it cannot go unnoticed.
Shillong’s growing dirt and garbage peril is stemming more out of the minds of the people than the failure that is often attributed to the local civic authorities here.
Residents throwing garbage packed in polythene carry bags right into the streams from their balconies and rooftops became a habitual sight.
Some residents of localities like Riatsamthiah, Jingkieng, Laban Last Stop, Rilbong, Nongthymmai told this reporter that they get to hear the clear distinct dropping sound of bin bags in the tranquil winter nights that it cannot be mistaken for anything else.
Such is the mindset of the people that they don’t even spare the locality lanes and dumps wastes openly on the streets and roadsides.
However very often the blame is on the civic authorities even as officials wanted to know how can the municipal held responsible for mess created by people who violate the rules. “It is indeed a typical problem here where residents are seen going out to the marketplace for procuring their essentials or the gas agencies to book their refill cylinders and deliveries but when it comes to disposal of domestic wastes, no one sees beyond the streets and lanes”, said an official source.
A resident of Kachari Road in Police Bazar observed that the road from Polo till Mawdiangdiang has turned eyesore and wondered what is actually required to straighten the people from littering the roadsides in this filthy manner.
According to a roadside discussion in Laban’s Batti Bazar on the point raised by the President, there are opinions from many that cleanliness is something that cannot be taught or enforced rather it is totally a mind thing since it comes with one’s upbringing.