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The footbridge at Holy Cross junction.[/caption]
DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 21 : Statutory warning: this article employs sweeping (pun intended) narrative. The accepted wisdom, over the years, has been that the people of Nagaland don’t do the normal and the boring.
Much like an old-school Rajnikanth blockbuster, they must – as per this narrative – either be trapped inside the flaming chopper spiralling toward the ground, or be the hero sauntering away from the explosion in slow motion.
A recent social experiment conducted by an environmental organisation would appear to show that Dimapur, more than anyplace else, encapsulates this thrive-or-perish-in-extremes approach. In the month of October, the only footbridge in Dimapur was given a much-needed makeover by some youth.
This was an initiative of the Dimapur-based group, Living for Environment (LiFE) – ‘formed solely for the purpose of protecting, conserving and preserving the environment.’ During the 4-day makeover-drive, LiFE members were assisted by some youth who volunteered.
They swept and washed the bridge clean, painted the stairs and the railings, placed waste-bins and spit-ons in all corners of the bridge and planted green plants in recycled pots. “It was a mammoth task for us since we lacked manpower, though after some running around we got the permission from both the municipal (authorities) and traffic police.
“Especially, since a lot of the youth had their exams going on. But after the initial hesitation and hiccup, people unexpectedly thronged on all the four days in the form of friends and strangers,” a member of LiFE told Eastern Mirror.
Even as they were cleaning the bridge, some passersby would still continue to throw wrappers and waste materials on the floor rather than the waste-bins, she said. “Not to mention also spitting on the floor.”
It only got worse. “But just minutes after we cleaned the bridge, there were already sight of pan spits on the upcycled flower pots that we had kept and litters on the path. At least, some had better aim in throwing the dirt on the bin. It’s better than nothing!”
A shopkeeper whose store is located near the bridge offered the youth tea, and an ‘aunty’ came and gave them cupcakes. Otherwise, no one offered even a bottle of water – not that they were asking for it.
Silver lining
Even as they were cleaning the bridge, the LiFE members were aware that it would be defiled again very soon. After some few weeks, they came across a social media update from one Sangti Konyak – who had posted pictures of the now-defiled and littered bridge – asking others to join him and sweep the bridge clean again.
Today, as was the case before, the bridge still suffers from utter neglect. Initiatives like the ones by LiFE members, noble and exemplary, are sadly exceptions. But it is against such a grim backdrop that the LiFE members have now come up with the interesting concept of encouraging people to adopt the only footbridge at Dimapur.
“They say education instils a civic consciousness among the citizens but, Nagaland with 80% of its population being educated, has failed to prove this statement true. You would hardly see a shabbily dressed Naga on the street, even his phone will have the latest anti-scratch/dust guard and a handkerchief or a tissue on his pocket to wipe his face clean; he would even use it to wipe the dirt off his shoe.
“But, never will he put the tissue back on his pocket if he fails to find a bin. Such is the reality! We all consider the streets as an open dustbin and leave it to the government to do the cleaning and complain about its inability to do so. Hence, the birth of this initiative,” a LiFE member explained.
The rapid expansion of commerce in Dimapur, she reasoned, would only mean more waste products out in the open streets. “This got us thinking on how to retain and monitor the place from going back to its old form. Since, it’s a public place without supervision we realised that if we did not maintain it, in no time people will start littering the place again.”
Thus, they have decided to encourage individuals, organizations, education institutions or any groups to “adopt the bridge” for a day, she informed. “It would comprise of cleaning and collection of the dirt and watering the plants. The volunteering can be done by pledging of their interest or even nominating a fellow friend or group on our Facebook page and continue passing on the baton. They will be acknowledged on our FB page (and local newspaper) and in return help the community a little.”
Creating a cleaner Dimapur or Nagaland, she reasoned, would only benefit the citizens “since it will help in preventing and spreading of diseases, reduce carbon footprint, preserve our environment, impart civic sense and beautify the city.”
In “adopt the bridge” initiative, we have in our hands a potential blockbuster. Now, where are the heroes?