The Mysuru Metropolis Company’s upcoming Swachh Marathon, organised as a part of Swachh Survekshan 2025-2026, is yet one more well-intentioned try to lift public consciousness about cleanliness.
The said objectives are admirable: Waste segregation, accountable disposal, citizen participation and suggestions.
However a query raised by a reader in a letter printed yesterday cuts to the center of the matter: Does consciousness really translate into motion?
The trustworthy reply, virtually at all times, is NO.
Lately, marathons, walkathons, human chains, rallies and symbolic protests have turn out to be the popular devices of “public engagement.”
They’re simple to organise, visually interesting, media-friendly and politically secure. Sadly, they’re largely ineffective as nicely.
Take consciousness marathons. They normally start as marathons, shortly flip into jog-a-thons, then transition into walk-a-thons and eventually culminate in what can solely be described as an “Eat-a-thon”… go for a post-event lengthy breakfast.
The attention lasts precisely so long as the WhatsApp standing replace.
Most consciousness walks are a bit of greater than visitors disruptions. They paralyse visitors, annoy commuters and nobody is studying the placards, as everyone seems to be busy honking to allow them to get to work on time.
The success of those occasions, sadly, will not be measured by behavioural change however by media protection.
This brings up one other vital side of consciousness rallies — youngsters.
Faculty youngsters are essentially the most overused props in India’s consciousness rally obsession.
Governments and personal organisations routinely pull youngsters out of school rooms to kind human chains, march with placards and swell numbers.
Two years in the past, Karnataka celebrated Worldwide Day of Democracy by trying to create the “longest human chain” from Bidar to Chamarajanagar.
Twenty-five lakh folks held arms for democratic values. Most of them have been youngsters.
Does democracy enhance dramatically when youngsters miss faculty to face within the solar? NO.
Youngsters are routinely marched onto busy roads, holding illegible placards, inhaling car fumes and battling warmth.
Mother and father are hardly ever consulted. Security is an afterthought. Studying is collateral harm.
Maybe it’s time the Ladies and Baby Improvement Division considers banning the usage of youngsters as publicity instruments to fulfill the image-building starvation of establishments and Authorities Departments.
Consciousness and not using a roadmap is noise. Protest and not using a coverage plan is theatre. Symbolism with out an motion framework is deception.
What India desperately wants will not be extra consciousness, however extra follow-through by residents.
Cleanliness doesn’t come from working previous rubbish; it comes from enforcement, incentives, penalties, contracts that work and officers who’re held accountable.
Democracy doesn’t emerge from human chains; it survives by defending dissent and respecting constitutional duties.
Public well being doesn’t enhance by Instagram challenges; it improves by entry, affordability and sustained coverage intervention.
For any of this to succeed, residents should transfer past one-day performances and be part of NGOs. Volunteer constantly. Protest with function. Demand what’s rightfully yours, which is to have a habitable metropolis, a lifetime of dignity.
Sadly, the Indian citizen is usually as apathetic because the administration. We’re too lazy to combat for what we deserve.
Mysureans present up for marathons and walkathons for causes reminiscent of cleanliness, no honking, health and so forth., however nobody reveals up for a rally to avoid wasting Chamundi Hill or be part of a protest to avoid wasting our lakes or plant bushes?! Why?
Is it as a result of it’s cool to submit pics of a marathon, however by some means embarrassing to submit pics of protesting to make our metropolis habitable?
This displays not a ignorance, however a disaster of civic mind.
Individuals who go for “run for a trigger” however don’t present as much as merely stand for a protest to avoid wasting our metropolis are “pea-brained” and unworthy of being Mysureans.
The one solution to present the administration you care is to point out up at a protest you imagine in. As an alternative of letting some NGO do the arduous work of protesting.
Maybe what Mysuru really wants is a marathon for “frequent sense”, a run to instil the sense that one must combat to guard their very own metropolis.
The uncomfortable reality is that this: We’re a part of the issue. Our apathy, our brief consideration span and our desire for optics over outcomes are the true obstacles.
Allow us to run marathons if we take pleasure in working. Allow us to stroll if strolling brings pleasure and consciousness. However allow us to cease pretending we have now “carried out our bit” for town.
Let’s be trustworthy. Consciousness rallies are simply alternatives free of charge publicity and selfies masquerading as civic advantage.
We’re working in circles like a validation-seeking canine chasing its personal narcissistic tail whereas the foxes steal our metropolis, like they’ve stolen Bengaluru of its soul.
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