"Walk, Shimla, Walk!" exhorted the wise Sushil Tanwar. On 23rd October 2010, We walked from Chaura Maidan to Cecil. I'm happy to report that the young in Shimla responded with fervour. This says a lot about their spirit and their foresight. I'm equally disappointed to report the near-absence of older people. This tells me a lot about their indifference and their cynicism. I was chagrined not just because they did not show up, but because so many people came up with excuses for what kept them away... When, dear Shimlaiites, are you going to wake up to the ills that plague our lovely town? Are you ever going to involve yourself in its affais, or must one quote the poet who said:
"Ay mauj-e-sabaa de inko bhi do-chaar thapedey halk se
kuchh log kinaarey par se hii toofan ka nazaaraa karte hai"!
Sushil Tanwar who runs Ashadeep. A source of inspiration for all around him.
Little girls with big ideas.
"Pollution! Pollution! Trees are the solution!" was a popular slogan that day.
A lovely poster depicting pollution and the damages it causes.
Placards which said: "Save the environment". "Plant trees. Make Shimla beautiful". "All is well. Without trees, all is hell"!
It isn't the size of the placard, but the intention that matters!
Curious onlookers.
Curious onlooker #2.
Still, on a day of hope and excitement, we chose to focus on the positive and could only say "Sabko sanmati de bhagwaan"! (May God grant everyone good sense).
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5 comments:
love curious onlooker no.2!
Great Show !!
Wish I had been there. It's been nearly a year, and I find I miss the place.
Nice post... thanks to share it
Being a walker with some regularity, I confess not being there on this day that was supposed to send out a message about protecting the pedestrian's right for space to walk on.
In Shimla over the years, the walking space has shrunk faster than the concrete structures that have come up.
After the mid-nineties, vehicular population has possibly grown faster than the human population.
All protests against pedestrian rights being encroached upon reach deaf ears.
Take the case for today - the Governor's cavalcade of 7 cars sped through a crowded Mall Road at an busy hour 4.45 p.m. and in the minor stampede caused a toddler fell on the stairs hurting himself.
Who cares, not the powers that be.
Take relief in the old Bengali song
by Tagore
"If they answer not your call, walk alone, walk alone, walk alone"
Hi,
Is there any way to contact you personally? I am working for NDTV in Delhi and currently working on a travel show where one city we are focusing on is Shimla. Is there any way that I can get in touch with you. Please email me on ritikas@ndtv.com - Thanks!
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