Does the image of your neighbor throwing garbage out of her balcony ring a bell? Or, does the image of a guy using the footpath to relieve himself sound vaguely familiar? Yes? See I knew it! They are the superheros whose powers lie in spreading mess where ever they go. They are the real reason why dumpster photography is on the list of every tourist landing in this country. They are the apes with the invisible capes which makes them believe that they are born for one sole purpose, to litter and clutter. A power which they actually take very seriously as they walk among you humming ‘Let’s spray, let’s spray some more’!
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In India, you are either the litterbug or the unassuming tourist. The fact is a very, very long time ago, the people of this country had been bitten by a bug, a very benign one at that. And over the years it has managed to achieve pandemic proportions, in ways unimaginable really. Today the litterbug is the alter ego of every proud Indian. But not to worry for it’s the bug to have been bitten by. In fact, it’s perhaps the mother of all bugs you could ever be bitten by. Yes that just about describes it right. And now when I’ll talk about the symptoms I bet you’ll find yourself nodding along too.
You are a litterbug when you love to hate walking up to the garbage bins. You consider it a waste of your time and against your litterbug-dom! In fact, I have one living right next door. He tip toes in the early morning hours, walks four steps out of his door and stealthily places his black garbage bags next to my main door. Every morning I wake up to find his offering at my door step. He’s the superhero I aspire to be if only I had it in me to wake up early.
You are definitely a litterbug when you have the passion for placing garbage bags in corridors or parking lots. It is a treasure hunt to you, finding the best spot to dump your rubbish. And you most certainly belong to this elite club when dropping garbage bags out of your balcony becomes your favorite pass-time. In the darkness of the night, when your unassuming apartment-mates go around brisk walking, you sacrifice those healthy walks for something more important. Yes, you do it for dumping precious litter on their unsuspecting heads. This because you believe in littered India. And that’s also when you achieve martyrdom among the litterbugs. But that’s not all. When you throw banana peels, empty coffee cans, wrappers and more out of your car with unparalleled panache, you become a member of this coveted tribe. And as a litterbug you can be an artist too. Yes, paan spitting becomes your way of spray painting the walls. You do it while walking, while driving and even while sitting in theaters, leaving your mark everywhere you go.
So now do you recognize the litterbug in you? If not, then do it soon for the littering shouldn’t stop come what may! Remember the litterbugs need you to let littered bharat stay littered!
Here’s a video on The Great Indian Litterbug for you.
It's such a shame… if you look at Bangalore, the place has started becoming a huge dumping ground. It's impossible to pass few places without cringing the nose. Will we ever learn!!??!!
Oh, Nabanita, I really wonder why the litterbug doesn't die a quick death! Wonder when people will become responsible citizens and make it their duty to maintain cleanliness. People litter all over, except their own homes, and then complain that India is the dirtiest country of all! I wish there was some really harsh punishment for the litterbugs.maybe then people might start taking cleanliness seriously.
WOW, here in the country where I live you can get in a heap of trouble for getting caught littering. Major fines are involved. They have prisoners out along the highways picking up litter. Even if you have a dog most places require you to clean up after it, so I can't imagine people just littering in abandon. WOW, just WOW. This was eye opening.
It's such a shame na?! Beautiful Bangalore looks like a heaping dustbin nowadays!! 🙁
We need more civic sense.. we keep our homes beautiful and don't think twice about throwing the garbage on the streets or the empty site!!
Sigh!
And if you try telling someone off, you either get a mouthful or their garbage in front of your house! 🙁
Hello Nabanita,
Hope you are doing well. When I got an opportunity to nominate someone for the Sisterhood of the World Bloggers Award, you were in my thoughts. This leaves me to wonder if you will accept my nomination ! In case you are thinking what is it, you can find out more about my nomination here:
http://sinhasat302.blogspot.in/2015/01/sisterhood-of-world-bloggers-award.html#more
How sad is this. Even in an apparently civilised society like ours where we tell the children all the time to not litter I have seen grown ups throw empty packets out of car windows. What is the point of teaching kids things that they don't see you practicing? It's weird. And there are people with these fancy dogs who pee in the lift and leave it messy and smelly. We really should have strict fines for offenders.
The bug bit everyone – so in quite a few areas there are no garbage bins to walk to as well 🙂
Sad 🙁
You've left no bin unturned when writing this. A comprehensive list of how we Indians shame our own selves.
I liked the forceful voice, Naba.
I know Rajlakshmi…Even I feel the same…I don't know when will we learn, if at all ever?!
Such a sad state my beloved city has come to. And for what? Because people will not use a bin. Pathetic state of affairs. I hope better sense prevails soon enough.
Aside: Naba, LOVING the new look of the blog. So bright and beautiful!
That's pretty bad! 🙁 Here in North America, there are huge fines for that kind of dumping, yet some still do it. Shame on them!
True Shilpa…We need to ensure that we punish these litterbugs…only when a harsh punishment is implemented will we be able to see a clean India
Here rules are not enforced Kathy..It's all upto an individual's discretion… And most of them are lagging in this department
Oh it is ! I feel so bad and so angry too! when will we change 🙁
Thanks so much really appreciate it ! 🙂
Oh grown ups are the worst Tulika…I can't tell you how annoying some families in my apartment are..They simlpy dump their garbage bags in the corridors! As you said we need strict rules really
haha oh yes how did I miss that!
I know 🙁
Thanks Sakshi
I know Shailaja…. I feel so angry and helpless sometimes
PS: Glad you like the new look 🙂
Truly Shame on them Debbie…Here fines are not imposed strictly and that's why it is so bad
I really liked the article you posted. I request you to post something about India as in how energy self reliance in oil and gas sector lead to India's economic growth. What can government do about this sector?
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