‘Public Spitting’ is costing Swachchta Abhiyan dea

Spitting just about anywhere is a habit we see in most Lucknowites. I am sure all of us have experienced such incidences and many may have even been a party to it. Generally nobody raises any objection, but supposing someone does dare to protest, he/she is subjected to such a hostile glare and rude language that the righteous one has no option but to back off as no support comes from those around.
What is amazing is they can even spit right where they are sitting or talking and go on sitting and talking nonchalantly, do they not feel nauseated by it? Now, the question arises, what exactly can be done? Should a law be formulated where spitting and littering on roads be made a penalized offence subject to a fat penalty of more than a thousand rupees? But who will catch hold of the offenders, will it be practically possible? Can CCTV cameras not be utilized to identify such people? Again, is it possible to cover the entire city by CCTVs? Or should the moral police pitch in? Should dedicated teams be formed in various areas comprising responsible citizens and volunteers of all age groups who can confront these people and at least shame them enough so that they do not repeat such offence? I say shame them because most would not think anything wrong in what they do, claiming everyone else does so, then why can’t they? What is the solution?
Nothing would work unless such consciousness comes willingly to people, when they accept the folly of their acts and make a genuine effort to rid themselves of their unhygienic habits. Awareness campaigns should be held not just in schools and colleges--where the teachers should be given the responsibility to aware students on a daily basis by inculcating hygienic habits in them-- but in slum areas, industrial area, market places and residential colonies.
And if we see someone spitting or littering, we should speak up. Maybe the first few attempts would go waste but, slowly, constant interruptions and public chidings will start having an effect. The police should also keep an eye on such people and give them at least a good sounding or even make them clean up the mess. There is no other way, if we want a clean city, we will have to learn to stop ignoring our inner voice as well as those who lack one! more