I have been a citizen of Mumbai for the last 50 or more years. Population has increased but civic amenities have not kept pace with it.It has become the commercial and financial capital of India but has ceased to be the industrial capital. It has more millionaires but also more poor. It has now more sky-crappers both residential and commercial and also more slums. All these contradictions have affected lives of millions. The richest municipal corporation has not been able to provide good roads, good public transport, adequate water supply, proper garbage collection and electricity supply at the same tariff to all.The politicians have failed us as they get elected not on the basis of good governance but by vote-bank politics.They have power without responsibility.
This is a challenge to all NGOs and the corporate sector, in deed to all citizens of the city. NGOs have to be the guardians of the welfare of the citizens. I am wondering whether you can can take a lead to form an association of all NGOs who work for improving the civic life. Every ward/ every mohalla should have a band of NGOs who keep a watch on expenditure on all civic amenities in their area interacting with the ward office, elected representatives and others. The NGOs have to educate the citizens on their rights and the officials and corporators about their duties. This is not a easy task. This requires many public spirited people. It requires lawyers and technocrats. There are many retired people who could be encouraged to join the NGO.
This is just loud thinking. It is for you and other Karmayogis to consider it.
January 16,2012.
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