During COVID times, we saw huge stress on hygiene. People were also warned repeatedly not to spit in public, whether having eaten paan or not, that was not the question
A Paan-wala prepares paan for customers at a roadside shop in New Delhi on November 20, 2012. Pic/AFP
This is called painting the town red but with a shameful twist. Paan and gutka stains are seen at the newly opened Metro corridors, inaugurated in April. A commuter pointed to paan stains on a platform screen door at a station. Commuters are demanding authorities take strict action against the people spitting on Metro premises.
Some wry comments on social media have termed this as ‘art work’ with pictures of the same. Others have stated that some people do not think they are stakeholders in the city.
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When the Metro corridors were thrown open to the public, a minister had appealed to commuters not to litter or damage infrastructure. Signage and warning about action should help in reducing this shameful vandalism.
Even announcements about cleanliness, pride in the transport system and respect for others should be played over and over again. While this may not stop everyone, it is surely these announcements that seep into the psyche of some, make them rethink what they are indulging in and hopefully, change their behaviour.
One big example would be for people in authority, leaders of all levels to show by example that it is not okay to spit paan or gutka they are consuming. Government buildings have significant red stains at times inside, pointer to how flippantly we take this.
During COVID times, we saw huge stress on hygiene. People were also warned repeatedly not to spit in public, whether having eaten paan or not, that was not the question.
This edit space has repeatedly highlighted respect for infrastructure. Damage does not just mean prising out fixtures or breaking things. Spitting is also damaging and hugely so. Good surveillance will help identify culprits. Strict fines should be part of corrective action. Social media can be used to speak out against the disgusting spitting habit. Let us weed it out, with a strong campaign against this reprehensible habit.
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