As children, we were taught how five fingers together make a fist, and you could be strong and fight any challenge. This message resurfaced when I recently saw some residents of South City M block come together to solve some civic problems in their neighbourhood.
When I recently returned to Gurgaon after nearly a month, I was in for a pretty surprise. When I left South city, there was a lot of garbage piling up, the roadside was in shambles and boulders and litter was on the roads. The Joy Park was also an eye sore with broken pavement around it. But what I saw on my return was a lot of improvement. And this was the result of some hard working residents who had gotten together and volunteered money and time to fix some of these recurring issues. Some of the members have been collaborating with residents and vendors, firstly, for collection of funds and then implementing the project voluntarily.
Good security, cleanliness and general upkeep of the area is naturally the first thing that any civil society seeks. And this was what was missing here.
When the government agencies fail to provide the services required, it is for the people and community to come together to solve immediate issues. After all, we know “god helps those who help themselves.”
Unfortunately, only 10 % of the residents came forward to contribute towards setting up of the gate, and park kerb repair work, the others with their “I don’t care attitude” and “wait and watch” policy, did not deter the steadfast warriors who continue to do the good work.
There is never a perfect solution but in M block, a beginning has been made and results are obvious. Sometimes sharing of resources are required to achieve a common goal, and if we set aside our petty differences and negative attitude, we can reach greater heights. And with patience and persistence, M block will soon be able to replicate the neat and clean K block, which has been a front runner with its strong resident bonding and collaboration.
I am confident more enlightened residents will join the movement and some of us will shed our negativity and we will have a bigger pool of positive people who want to live in happier, cleaner and safer surroundings. There are plans afoot to get some other issues resolved on a war footing, including security and cleanliness. Hats off to the movement and hopefully more residents understand the plus points of collaboration rather than watching from the fence.
