This Rampant Negligence And Indifference Can Be Very Dangerous!

 This Rampant Negligence And Indifference Can Be Very Dangerous!

Hello Friends! Can We please open our Eyes?

I had no option but to create this post purely in view of my spreading some civic awareness, in whatever way I could to make our area safer, and our turn our whole world a better place to live in. We are still not out of Covid 19 Danger and the rampant negligence and Indifference seen in general public is not only scary, but disgusting. Wake up all before it is too late again! All these incidents are reported here are from PCMC area in Pune. Shockingly this seems to be happening right in the open view of PCMC officials and even Police who stand mute spectators to what is happening, and if asked for help will be plainly give an excuse saying "How much can we do?, How many people can I stop?"; or shockingly you yourself will be taken to task. 

I suppose this need not be told to someone especially for us Humans who call ourselves the "Intelligent Species". Over the last few days, rather over a month I have personally experienced the worst sort of Negligence, and Indifference you could imagine in the behavior of the general public. With due respect to all, I feel we should take note of this and if we do not take corrective and remedial action we could be in for another bout of a severe Pandemic return. 

Just because India is going on with the Amazing Vaccination drive which still would take months before we are all safe, we have left caution to the winds and are gallivanting in public as if it is Picnic Time. Can we wake up and take notice? I will recount certain personal experience which have made me cringe in fear, while the perpetrators just move with elan and a smirk on their faces.

At my age of 62 I still take all precautions like wearing a mask, going out only if it is very essential, trying to keep a simple exercise routine to stay fit, follow all health norms and safety guidelines. It is not only because our Health and Safety Norms regulate that in the present time but for my and our own safety. Your own safety is the safety of your family and the people around you so please take serious note. 

Let me start by giving a few examples in which I was flabbergasted at the response I received. Worst case was there was no one who even winked an eyelid or came forward to support the genuine concern. That was blasphemous! Shocking this is happening because they know no one is going to take any action, especially because it is the public that is asking them a question and we have no authority to do so, while those in authority stand mute spectators?

Spitting in Public and while driving Vehicles: It is shocking that this has started on a large scale so to say as if there are no restrictions or dangers at all. Over the last few days I have come across so many drivers who rampantly spit out chewn tobacco or pan onto the roads while driving. Indifferent to the fact that while driving there is a spray of the dangerous spit on to passers by or even on other drivers coming from behind especially because of the wind. Shockingly I had two cases one with a lady behind who was least bothered, and only one of them when confronted strongly. Because he was doing it repeatedly while I was the one driving behind him, I had to overtake him and confront him. The least he did was apologize to me and had it not been for the age of the person and the lady behind, I would have slapped him to make him understand what he was doing. The other boy, one of the three driving on the same motorcycle when confronted in fact threw me a "You Dare Tell me what to do" glance, and even had the daring to ask me "What Happened? Did it fall on your body, then why are you shouting?". Blasphemous! 

Overflowing Garbage Cans and Dumps: - While we do see the PCMC municipal cleanliness staff doing their best, we often find them just dumping all the garbage into a corner near a Society Gate, and it lies there for days until we point it out. While I personally care for these health workers and know some of them personally who clean our area, I have always cautioned them against working without Masks, and even offer them water and any help they need especially during these hot months. But there are some who are very adamant and offensive who will back answer or make you feel as if they are doing a favor on us while doing their job which they are indeed being paid for. I have even reported this to the local Manager / Supervisor who I know well and thankfully he has taken action on those erring staff members. But still we find shopkeepers, society members and general public littering the premises or the clean road, totally irresponsibly. There is a unbearable stink while we cross these areas and beside only sprinkling some DDT powder on the top nothing much is being done. Can we be more proactively conscious?

Smoking Openly in Public near Pan Stalls, Malls, and Eating Places: - Much to my own dislike and hate for smoking and smokers, there seems to be no control over smoking in public. Oblivious to the harm it causes passers by through the ill effects of Passive Smoking, they are least bothered and will stare you in the eye and dare to even through a cloud of smoke your way if you object. In spite of the Govt ban on Public smoking Pan Stalls still sell cigarettes in the open, which is fine, but not insisting that they stand there and smoke away in public. Shockingly in many cases I have as mentioned above found police themselves coming in for a Pan or cigarette and passing them to their seniors in the Van, maybe not smoking in public but saying nothing to those who stand smoking there. 

Rash Driving with Overloaded Pillion Riders: - Recently there has been a spate of "Hooligans" if I may call them with their typical cropped up colored hair do's driving rashly on roads. In spite of the caution and warning against maintaining social distancing you will find three sometimes even four drivers on one motorcycle all coming together in hoards shouting at the top of their voices or racing their vehicles with Horns blaring, and playing stunts on the road, driving past you making faces or even passing lewd remarks. Many times we find them drunk and sozzled beyond any advice, so it is better to keep quiet as any objection and they will all gather to defy you or even be physical with you. God forbid if it is a lady or young girls and they are at the receiving end of it all while we have to stand mute spectators. 

Overcrowding on Roads, Malls, Shops, Eating Place with little care for wearing Masks: - A round at any time during the day or even the late evening is a shock for our eyes and obviously we have to rush back to the safe precincts of our homes. You will either find people moving around without masks or if they do wear a mask it is hanging below the chin. Shockingly they travel with small kids and children who are not wearing any safety masks at all. They will laugh, guffaw, shout, hug one another, and as mentioned above even smoke, spit and cough openly wherever they are assembled. It is truly shocking how much indifference and happy-go-lucky attitude they express in those time. I can understand removing your mask while eating but either never wearing a mask or dropping it below your chin is a bit too irresponsible. 

Driving Cars or Motorbikes while talking on the Mobile: - this has become more rampant especially after the Pandemic as is indicating everyone is so busy taking care of the world?. People in huge SUV's or Vagons, showing off their clout or High Attitudes will drive slowly talking on their mobiles or even chatting with their family, while driving on a busy street. You will find a long line of people towing behind them, just because it is difficult to overtake them, while they keep enjoying their time. No action is taken even when they are passing the junction right in front of the eyes of the Traffic Police, while simpletons who drive a scooter or motorbikes are kept being harassed to check for licenses, PUC etc, just to make up for their days collection. Same goes with the typically identified "Hooligan" type of guys who with a mobile stuck between their shoulder and ears, and they themselves dropping to one side, speed away, Cris-crossing and dodging you, giving the jitters to girls especially, and shockingly they are hand in gloves with the police because many a times I have seen them wave out to the traffic police and they will wave out in return? Anyone trying to stop them either is harassed himself by them or they will immediately gang up on you? Where does the common man go?

Last but not least and shockingly in the present times of Curfew imposed from 11.00 pm to 6.00 am, you will find many eateries still inviting public or serving even few minutes before 11.00 pm knowing very well that in fact they should have been shutdown and closed at 11.00. How many people will have experienced this but never mentioned it that you will even find a fixed pair of Policemen on their Motorcycles coming in to ask them to close down fast, but not before carrying with them "Their Share of a parcel" - and literally stopping at all their favorite Stops to render their services? It really feels so shameful that the law enforcers themselves fall prey to such acts. It their conscience still alive? 

Though we try to only put the blame on others, it also saddens me that while I personally try to be fully responsible and adhere to every possible guidelines, there is a rampant negligence and total indifference in our general Public as well as the enforcing authorities. I full accept they are already overloaded with the present pandemic care and ensuring the law and order, but when you see total indifference from their side as well when we try and approach them for help it really saddens my heart. 

As I said my intention was only to bring to your notice the glaring negligence and indifference that is being exhibited by us as general public and responsible citizens, it scares me to think of any chance of the return of the a more serious pandemic if we continue to do what we are doing.

SERIOUS FOOD FOR THOUGHT THIS SO PLEASE WAKE UP AND TAKE A CALL BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.