“Whaaat litterbug . . litterbug? where’s the litter? We are a democracy – the largest! Our people are most free in the entire world, there is no restriction on any behavior. These Swachh Bharat people, they go to these phoren countries and get some fancy ideas, come here and unnecessarily create this noise. We have been like this all the time, western influences are not welcome here!” (except those that I think are helpful to me.)
I had heard this talk before, but coming from the lady in my friend’s building was unexpected. We were just dropping off some stuff my friend had promised to get her. And with this, she stretched a bit, bent and threw the left over fried chillies outside the kitchen window into an adjoining open field.
“You think this is litter! this is social service. I am feeding the cows that roam around here, who’s going to feed them, eh? God’s creatures.” And we knew there was no easy escape out of this conversation. I was tempted to make an argument, but since this was my first time in her house, I caught myself and let it go. Rajesh, Vivek elbowed me and nodded to the door. We said our goodbyes and began climbing down the stairs laughing at the argument.
“picchchcik” I jumped hoping the human can of red paint didn’t ruin my clean shirt, as I stood waiting for the bus. It irked me and I couldn’t help but glare at the person standing a few paces behind me. He was just waiting to make an argument. “Whaat? Do you know the level of pollution in our city. We have to constantly inhale the dust and diesel fumes – one day they will have to cut my stomach and take out a dirtball! Who knows, maybe it will just catch fire inside!”. He repeated his despicable act again with flourish, “Spitting is the only way I can keep my mouth clean and free of germs and bad metallic taste. I can’t compromise my health (and I don’t care what happens to you!). And so progressed this awful day. It seemed like Swachh Bharat had brought out the worst. This guy must surely be from the opposition :).
All this pollution really paints a grim picture. But then we are also an agricultural economy, and plants and veggies need fertile lands. We, of course, don’t have to worry about land fertility. And there is no shortage of water. Who says there is shortage of water! Some are even ready to leak their bodily fluids for plants to flourish. People who do that are working toward reducing the farmer suicides, after all. You have no right to put up boards that say you can’t urinate here! where will the water come from then?
I really hope the Swachh Bharat campaign makes people at least hesitate before they throw that candy wrapper on the road next time. It is the smallest of violations that are most difficult to control. So let us all take a pledge to carry that candy wrapper to its rightful owner.
This fictional post is written for the The Great Indian Litterbug activity on Indiblogger.