“Sir, Nagpur appears to be under a constant siege of flood and filth, fearful of various kinds of infections. I returned from London just yesterday, and got out of the house today morning for my appointments -- and found that the city of ours offered a terrible contrast to the place where I had been. That is so clean, though far more crowded, with no fear of infections assailing people. Why have we turned our city into such a filthy place?” This description, this comparison, this question from a friend in corporate circles made the loosefooter sit up and remain in a state of dismay for a long time at the start of the week. Each of his words was true. Each of the nuances of his sentiment was true. Each of his questions had substance.

 

And here is another endorsement of a similar kind from a professional colleague who spent his vacation in England a few days ago. He said, in effect, “London is so unbelievably clean (in terrible contrast with Nagpur)!” The loosefooter has always asked this question: Why should Nagpur be such a filthy, ill-managed city -- so susceptible to vagaries weather, rains, cold and heat !? But he has also sensed and seen faces contorted in disbelief that somebody in Nagpur can raise such stupid issues. For, going by a standard Nagpuri expression, “Yeh to chaltaa hi hai, yaar!” (Oh, this is as usual, friend! In other words, what is so much to be troubled about?!).

 

This brings us to another very serious question: Why should we not start accosting every public representative in town -- Members of Parliament, Union Ministers, Deputy Chief Minister, Members of Legislature, State Ministers, public officials like Municipal Commissioner, District Collector, Divisional Commissioner -- and asking them incisive, daunting, daring questions about their inability to administer the city properly? For, aren’t they the people who have messed up the city -- even as they claim to the benefactors? What kind of benefactors are they -- when they cannot address the simple needs of Maharashtra’s Second Capital? And if this continued neglect goes on, why should WE THE PEOPLE vote for them in elections? In fact, feels the loosefooter, we should start shouting questions about their inefficiency whenever we see these personalities in public. Of course, to many, this may sound as an extreme step, or rather an instigation. But let us also ask ourselves the simple question: Is it not our right to ask the right questions to right people? The issue is far more serious than many of us may think -- though some of us may choose to look the other way since raising serious issues may not suit their political needs and convenience. Yet, the loosefooter finds it his duty to raise these issues -- in sheer and clear public interest. n