What is common between Lalit Mahal Tree Felling protest, JUSCO contract to improve water supply, implementation of JNNURM, rampant violations of building code violations, disappearing footpaths, drowning in garbage, donation menace in educational institutions etc? It is the total indifference of professionals, and the literate class to take their civic responsibilities seriously. Just three recent examples prove the point.
On World Environmental Day, the Institution of Engineers had organized a seminar with responsible officials with whom we could have discussed the environmental problems of the city. But there were very few people attending it. Of course just by attending one seminar, one does not show real concern. A society which is really concerned would have shown far greater interest.
JUSCO will bring about strategic changes in our water supply system, which has failed on criteria like quantity supplied, quality of water, meeting the need of the poor, collection of proper revenues, stopping the pilferage etc. How many people are concerned? Poor in the slums do protest from time to time about water supply problems, but they do not know how JUSCO can help them. However there are some groups which are taking interest to protest against the contract.
Finally, when some NGOs were protesting the felling of about 200 trees on Lalitha Mahal Road, and near RTO office, how many of us showed enough interest to be present? Where were many of the students studying environment, or the teachers giving lectures on the need to plant tress and how greenhouse gases are affecting global warming, or the retired vice chancellors who talk so eloquently about our combined responsibility to save the planet?
There is a lot of truth in the statement that people get the leadership or governance they deserve. We are critical of our leaders and poor governance. But do we participate in the democratic process by taking up our responsibility? The silence to repeated requests is deafening.
Members of the public who are desirous of getting involved may call 2515150 for more information and aso, can attend the monthly meeting of MGP, held every second sunday of the month at 4 pm in MGP's office.
Dr. Bhamy V. Shenoy, convener, Mysore Grahakara Parishat