I know I am risking myself of being outcast , but I have to clarify my stand.
These thoughts came to my mind while I was at (“beautiful and clean”) Juhu Chowpatty a few days back.
Though by no means can an act of spitting (or littering) on the streets is condonable, my only contention is with assuming a morally superior stance in comparison to the offender.
This is so because at some level we are partners in the crime. Actually we are much bigger and serious offenders.
Let’s explore this more, why do you think such an act irritates you –
1) you think it is polluting the city and makes the city more un-livable?
2) or the act ( of spitting or littering) is not exactly appealing visually?
3) or is the ease of un-doing that act itself a very compelling argument?
Let’s look at the argument holistically. 80% of city’s pollution problems are because of the top 10%. Who consumes /waste (Lavish consumption ~ wastage) more than 80% of a city’s resources (Electricity, water, Fuel, Road space, residential space etc)?
Basically, we, by our very belonging to the top 10%, are guilty of more damage to the city. Of course, this does not absolve the “spitter”, but it definitely validates bigger offense from our side.
Since, the first argument (1) is not really an argument; I will have to conclude that it is the 2nd or 3rd , which is a complete matter of personal tastes and comforts.
But responding to the 2nd & 3rd argument masquerading it to be 1st is NOT fair.
Now this brings us further to two arguments which should be discussed at this point
a) Why should we (top 10%) feel guilty about reaching a social and economic status?
“I am a self-made-man” theory is obviously false. 99% of those who are in the top 10% are there because of random reasons (more intellectually put hereditary and social capital that we were born with). The earlier we believe in the chance playing a greater role than our merit; the earlier we come on ground.
b) Does the “spitter” really like to spit on the street?
This probably is the most action-able & address-able part of the problem. I doubt people would want spit or litter if there is decently convenient alternative available. No one really does it for kicks or as an art-form.
If you disagree, which I am sure you will, please go to Juhu Chowpatty today evening. </DIV>
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4 comments:
(This comment follows not just from the blog but also from the one-on-one conversation between Driftwood and myself on the issue)
Now I may not have the clarity you possess on most issues and I may not be as articulate, but I dont completely agree with your point of view, esp. when u say that people in the top 10% are in no position to correct spitters just because they are offenders in other ways. I agree they should not have a morally superior stance about it but they definitely have the right to correct the spitter.
Let me try and give an analogy (am bad at this...esp when i am addressing the 'king of analogies'...but i'll try). Its like saying that at home we use mobiles and cordless phones and have wireless internet and use other technologies which cause radiation and some research is even beginning to prove that it affects the human nervous system, so because we are using this we cant tell another resident of the house not to litter in the living room. Or we shoudld stop using all those technologies and only then can we tell the person to stop littering.
Issues such as pollution, traffic and radiation using technology need to be and are being tackled at a different level and should not be considered at the same level as less complex things such as spitting or littering. I say less complex because the ease of un-doing spitting or littering is a very valid point...and is not solely a matter of personal taste or comfort.
Also, in point (b) I would disagree with you when u say that the spitters dont get any kicks out of it...i have seen enough instances where a spitter chooses to spit on the road even when there is a spittoon or a trash can nearby, akin to men peeing on the roadside even when there is a Sulabh Sauchalay round the corner! Just for kicks!
Lastly, I would love to go to Juhu CHowpatty this evening (as you suggested) but it would cost me approx Rs. 30000 and take atleast 36 hours to get there - so thats out of question at this point! But I look forward to a visit there soon!! :)
(And while I'm there, I would appreciate the opportunity to strangle you!)
Nice thoughts Amogh...my thoughts
We as a culture have thrived in the concept of personal hygiene without the concept of a collective one.
The concept of hygiene in India is individualistic. We clean up our houses and throw the waste right outside. If you notice, am sure u do, people don’t think twice before chucking bhel puri waste, paan and all kinds of spit content, chocolate and misc wrappers arbitrarily. The whole world’s a garbage bin. Spitting applies the same concept to the individual. He sits pretty having parted with his waste not really bothered about whether it’s screwing the environment.
The more conscientious lot actually throws these ‘around’ waste bins. So you find some waste inside these bins and a lot more around them if you notice. The flipside to it is that most dust bins that I’ve seen are ‘cute’ sized hardly the functional size that would be required to meet demands of people. What’s critical also is that kids litter a lot, especially around schools n stuff. Most schools don’t have dust bins in their vicinity and even if they do, it’s inaccessible because of its height or placement.
another theory, its pure habit, just like washing ones hands or playing with ones hair or any other such little think which one doesn't even notice while doing. Will give you one example of what I observed while waiting for my train on platform no.5 at Ahmedabad station.
A family of 5, kids in the 4-9 age bracket. two boys and one girl. They too waiting for the train, and from what it looked, were from the very low SEC.
The father chewing something, goes ahead and spits on the base of one of the iron beams. Kids see this. father proceeds to gargle and then spit on the tracks. Then again goes back and spits on the base of the beam. His act done, the two boys, emulate him, go and spit at the base of the beam, the exact very spot. they obviously had no reason to do so, yet they did. and i am convinced that they wouldn't have done it if the father hadn't shown them the way. so at that very moment those two kids were indoctrinated. some years down the line you can see them at juhu doing what they saw their father doing.
I think it is going to be some bring old article, but it really compensated for ours time. I will posted a links to this post on my blog. I am sure ours visitor will think that very useful
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