There was a pond near our house where we bathed and played in its water when we were in high school. Residents of the area fully utilized it by carrying water home and washing clothes. Years rolled on. After completing higher studies, I entered service. Once, I had come home on leave and was reminded of the pond. I went there to refresh my memory but, to my surprise, found the pond missing. A large residential area had come up in its place. Upon inquiry, I learned that the landowner, who had dug the pond for his personal and public use, had sold it after covering it up. It was sold like hotcakes, and the buyers constructed residential buildings over it, giving no hint that, not long ago, a pond existed here. I felt very bad about it, with my nostalgia suffering a setback. The pond was not very old and could have continued had the owner so wished.
There is another pond near our house. It is very old, large, and still exists. It has not met the fate of the comparatively new pond for certain reasons. Firstly, it is very old and has been in public use for a long time. Additionally, it is adjacent to a temple. Last but not least, there is some dispute regarding its ownership. The pond is very special to me. As a child, it was my favorite haunt. We children bathed and swam in it. There is a pillar-like structure in the middle, called ‘trishul’ in the local language. There were large tortoises in its water. We swam up to the pillar, climbed it, and then dove back into the water. At times, we had to stand or sit on the pillar for even half an hour as tortoises moved around it. On holidays, we hardly returned from the pond unless someone came from the family to look for us. I am so fond of the place that whenever I get the time, I go and move around it. But it has not remained the same. The water has dried up and turned greenish. Residential buildings have come up around it. People are throwing garbage and dirt into it. The water is no longer fit for bathing or washing clothes, let alone drinking. Even cattle avoid it. Once, while moving near the pond, I saw a group of youths standing nearby. I talked to them about the pond’s plight and asked why efforts are not being made to clean it up. One of them explained that a team had come for the job, but progress could not be made due to a dispute over ownership of the land where the pond stands. The dispute is still unresolved, and the pond has become an example of gross negligence toward a public place.
Every year, we high school students of our batch hold a get-together, mingle, and have lunch together. A couple of years ago, we decided to hold it in a beautiful place surrounded by trees on the other side of the river. The location was nice and secluded. However, the dirt and garbage around were terrible. Since it is a regular picnic spot, people come here, indulge in merrymaking, and leave it dirty. They do not bother to put their trash and leftovers in a dustbin or designated area for easy collection and disposal.
I often visit my ancestral village, which is a few kilometers away from the town. The village boasts three big ponds, one small pond, and a reservoir called ‘Kata’ or ‘Kanta’ in the local language. During my childhood, all these water bodies were in good condition. But today, none of them are well-maintained, with the reservoir having dried up completely.
These are some of the public places that are glaring examples of our gross negligence and indifferent attitude. Let us also consider the following:
- Dirt and garbage found in heaps in various places in our towns and cities. Of course, certain towns and cities are exceptions, with people highly aware of cleanliness and the authorities taking appropriate and timely action.
- People throwing cups here and there after having tea at stalls, though some individuals make an effort to throw them into dustbins.
- Torn pieces of paper in ATM booths until they are cleaned by the authorities.
- The pitiable conditions of public lavatories due to a lack of flushing. The situation is better where guards or staff members are present.
- Similar conditions prevail in lavatories on trains and railway platforms. The situation is improved in waiting rooms where guards or staff members are deployed.
- Leaving picnic spots and tourist places dirty. Even religious sites are not spared. Some people do not hesitate to deface heritage sites and monuments.
The list of activities that testify to the extent of public disregard for cleanliness is endless. It is high time we accelerate efforts in the direction of cleanliness. The following steps may help:
- People should be aware and take cleanliness seriously. The government and its agencies, NGOs, and the youth should promote awareness campaigns.
- Authorities should take appropriate action where it is lacking to remove dirt and garbage in towns and cities. The number of dustbins may be increased and placed in various locations.
- Local cleanliness teams should be constituted by respective authorities for regular and periodic inspections of public places and take appropriate action.
- The youth in rural and urban areas may come forward to care for the water bodies passed down from generation to generation. Local bodies should encourage them and also take action on their own. The government should also introduce schemes that provide guaranteed work and wages. This way, the water bodies will remain intact and useful.
Cleanliness reflects culture. People should not think that everything will be done by the government. They should also contribute their part. A clean India, or ‘Swachh Bharat,’ is possible only when, in a state of high awareness, people join hands with the government of India, which is the clarion call of the day.
(The views expressed are the writer’s own)
Mr. Prafulla Kumar Majhi,
Retired Asst. Director, A. I. R, is an eminent Scholar and freelance writer in English & Odia. His areas of interests are sociocultural, economic, literary, historical and analytical studies and writings.
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