During the Diwali days markets are jammed. Traffic moves at snail’s pace. We were in e-rickshaw and the driver said, “Ma’am can I take you through the side lane? It’s bumpy, but will save us a good half an hour.” We wanted to finish the core and be back home in time, so just nodded. The driver moved the vehicle into a side lane, and just a few yards we moved it was a strange sight – huge bags filled with plastic and pet bottles; men busy sorting and filling bags. On the other side, it was stinking garbage all around. The lane itself was stinking and laid with plastic, packing material and waste food packs, which we throw in garbage without realising that someone somewhere is going to sort it out.
This was the rag pickers colony. Where solid waste is brought and sorted out. But the people who do this menial job are treated with contempt and suspicion. No safety gear or social security or medical facility. These people provide services that benefit the environment and unable us to stay in a clean healthy environment. But they live in very poor conditions. No drainage or proper sanitation. They live in very small shanks among garbage. One bathing area for nearly hundred and no privacy for ladies. They suffer acute destitution.
Most of them are migrants from Bihar or West Bengal where they were bonded labourers and came to Noida in search of livelihood and ended up here as rag pickers, as they are poor uneducated and in dire need to make living to survive they work as rag pickers. Daily they workout with any job security and exposed to health hazards, harassment and abuse on the streets. Their children live in very unhygienic conditions and with no education facility. They are clearing the garbage informally – no facility or guidelines are provided by the authorities whereas these rag pickers compliment the work of civil bodies.
Now it’s time for us to think how we can help these fellow beings.
They also have the right to live with dignity. And they are human like us. Small initiatives at our end can save the sufferings of many.
Firstly we should start segregating waste at our home. Separate the dry and wet waste; waste that can be recycled and non-recycled waste. Clean the bottles before throwing. Use proper bins to throw away the garbage, so that these men have to work less.
Build drains in the area for proper sanitation – Let them live with dignity! It’s a small initiative for the poor children who work with garbage.
