Spotfix at Tilak Nagar (with video)

Change is difficult but not impossible. Our cleanup drive on Oct 2, 2016 was able to make people responsible about littering.

India is making a lot of attempts to shed its 'filthy' image. While a lot is being done in various aspects to that effect, some voices are suggesting we need a sea change in our attitude towards littering. Is it possible to change an indifferent attitude towards garbage, in a matter of a few days, that sadly became an acceptable part of our culture? And that too in a city like Delhi where people lack a sense of belongingness?

Perhaps We Mean To Clean (WMTC) can provide answers. WMTC is a citizen-led initiative conducting spotfixes and cleanliness drives in the region. We celebrated our second anniversary on Oct 2, 2016 by conducting a spotfix. Considering it coincides with Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary and Rashtriya Swachhta Diwas, there couldn’t be a more befitting ode to the day’s significance!

Of course, we wanted to do something extra-special. Something so memorable that could leave a positive impression... to a place, to the people around. We discovered that a boundary wall of CGHS Dispensary in Tilak Nagar had turned into a garbage dumping yard. This place is near the Saat Manjila Mandir and it's a famous market too. In fact, a lot of garbage would come from the nearby shops and local hawkers. It was a scene of neglect. It was an utterly sad sight. It was a dispensary, after all!

We collaborated with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to fix the issue for good. We planned to transform the spot into such a place it would prevent people from dumping garbage at the place. MCD helped us in clearing the big pile of garbage. It had to be done a day before the actual drive. It took about seven tippers to take the garbage away! The enthusiasm from the entire MCD was unbridled.

A 'sudden' act of cleanliness took the local shopkeepers by surprise. Curious, they asked us what was going on. We thought it was a great opportunity to make them aware about the issue. We spoke to a couple of shopkeepers and also with the market association's head. We apprised them of our plans for the next day and extended an invitation for our cleanliness drive.

The drive was to start at 7 AM. It was a Sunday. It was heartening to see so many people showing up for this special occasion. MCD staff was also present and was later joined by the ward's councillor Ms. Ritu Vohra. So, while the MCD helped us in remaining leg of cleaning, our own army of volunteers beautified the dispensary wall. We not only painted the wall but also made some abstract artwork.

Positivity inspires positivity! The local shopkeepers who came to honour our invitation got so moved with the whole gesture they also contributed with their two cents. Some helped us in cleaning, some in painting, some got us water and some even got us breakfast, proving the adage Dilli hai dilwalo ki, right. They even pledged to maintain the place by not only keeping a vigil on the spot but also keeping more dustbins in and around their shops. MCD further helped us by keeping potted plants along entire stretch of the wall. However, there were many who cast a doubt over spot’s sustenance.

Notwithstanding the negative speculations we saw that even after a week that the spot was sustaining well. We were not only successful in transforming the spot but our humble attempt was able to transform the nearby people’s minds! It made people aware, conscious and responsible about keeping their surroundings clean. What was a matter of a few days - changing people's attitude towards littering - became a matter of hours. And this is when we feel satisfied!

This spot after a week:

Please check our Facebook album to view all the pics of this spotfix.

And here's the video capturing the whole goodness of this day:

Liked it? Visit our website for more :)