The Waste Warriors
The report, And the battle continues (The Hindu,December 4,2013) is a sad commentary on the apathy of Indians towards waste. It is well-known that waste disposal is necessary for the health of the people and even profitable ( as a manure, and can yield methane gas and produce electricity), the civic authorities in most parts of the country have not addressed this issue. Half the illnesses in the country come from unhygienic living conditions. As Tashi Pareek points out we do not respect the people who collect our garbage.They are not well-paid and their working conditions are bad. The first thing that needs to be done is to pay them as much as a clerk in an office, if not more, and recognise their services to the society. Mahatma Gandhi used to insist on all inmates of his ashram to clean the toilet and sweep the floor to emphasise the dignity of labour. Of course, we have all forgotten him except on his birthday.
December 6,2013.
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