Smile in Smog

I have always read and heard about air pollution in Delhi. Finally, when I experienced it, I’ve to admit it’s nothing like they describe in news. It’s much worse.

Sometimes too terrible. Initially firecrackers was to blame for think blanket of smog in Delhi. However this year crackers were banned. Authorities now realized that it’s not just because of crackers. The real culprit turned out to be burning of Hay in neighboring states (Haryana, Punjab and UP). For days, smog was clearly visible even during daytime. Holidays were announced for Schools and colleges.

People were advised to stay indoors and not to do any physical work (Yoga, meditation, exercise, jogging and Outdoor games). Almost every other person was seen wearing mask while outdoors.  Drastic steps were taken to improve air quality. Construction work was stopped, heavy vehicles were restricted from entering Delhi and lastly burning of any kind of waste was strictly monitored. There was also discussion on implementing odd even policy. I believe such drastic measures will have little impact on air quality.  Resident’s behavior have to be transitional. The government has to take steps to promote culture of pollution free city.  The awareness has to come from within. People and Government have to jointly take up long term measures, which are sustainable and consistent.

Bengaluru is way ahead of other metropolitan cities in this regard. Many argue traffic and waste management in Bengaluru is similar or worse than other cities. There is no denying this. Nevertheless, I’ve to appreciate people of Bengaluru for being more conscious and aware about ways to control air pollution. Bengaluru is inculcating this culture in young people at early age. Credit for inculcating such culture goes to efforts of Corporates, NGO’s and Residents. In silicon Plateau corporates incentivize employees on using less polluting ways to commute ( i.e., Cycle, bus and metro), whereas NGO’s and residents are creating awareness through various programs like Marathon, Walkathon, Planting sapling, terrace gardening , cycle day and open street. Even in Delhi, you can see all these activities. However, there are not consistent in Delhi as it is in case of Bengaluru. In Delhi, these are nothing more than showpiece for displaying its glory as National Capital. ( Note : If your only looking forward to read about Heena skip the rest and read last 2 paragraph )

Cycle Day & Open Streets: Are you hearing these term for first time? No, worries, I’ll tell you what it is. It’s a western concept. In India, you can see a hybrid version adopted to suit Indians. Open street is popular street in town where vehicles are banned for certain hours of the day and the street is kept open for all to carry fun activities.

In Bengaluru, cycle day and open street are frequently organized by joint efforts of BBMP (Bhruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike), NGO and local community in famous localities like Malleshwarum, Sankey tank, HSR layout, Jayanagar, Cubbon park and Sanjay Nagar etc.

Let me walk you though my experience in one of the Cycle Cay cum Open Street of Bengaluru. I love going to cycle day. It gives me opportunity to re-live my childhood. In Sanjay Nagar Cycle Day and Open Street is organized on 1^st Sunday of every month. I frequently visited it as it was close to my place. But I’ve seen many people and celebrities joining it from far off places to have fun. 

Promoting cycle riding is core activity. Cycles are distributed free on producing original ID cards for limited time. It’s sponsored by BBMP. Other activies like Marathon, Zumba, Yoga, Falundafa, Dance, Skating, Karaoke, Fancy dress competition and DJ music can be commonly seen. My favorite is street games and I never miss playing any game. I’ve tried it all! Awareness creating activities are also quite common like sapling panting and donations, blood camps, waste management and promotion of various ecofriendly technologies. I remember in one of the Cycle Day, engineering students had come up with their indigenously developed howerboard and electric cycle. Fund collected for planting saplings is utilized for planting varieties of trees in locality and in vacant space below metro track, there by living up to the name of Garden City.

Once in Open Street I was challenged by a kid to try doing tricks in rope jumping better than he does. I took the kid lightly and accepted the challenge. I wasn’t able to do much that day. I took the challenge and with a little practice at home, I was able to do many tricks. I displayed those tricks in next cycle day.

Another time I was challenged by another kid to try doing tricks in Hula-hoop better than she does. It sure looks easy, but it isn’t. At least not for boys. For boys, getting to spin a ring around belly proves to be herculean task. Girls get it quite naturally.  I didn’t take it lightly like before. Yet it was tuff. I gave up on it. However, the thought of failing to perform such simple task kept me going. After lot of sweat, pain and regular practice, I was able to spin it a little. Now I can do it for longer time. Harder a task, greater will be the happiness you derive on accomplishing it.

If spinning a hula-hoop could be so difficult, can you think of spinning hula-hoop walking on a rope ten feet high above ground? Why am I talking of something as absurd as this? Because I saw this on streets of Delhi. In winter of December, I was walking on street. In the background I could hear Buddham Sharanam Gacchami playing, I followed the sound. It led me to Main Street, here sun was overhead yet entire place was covered with Smog. Most people had buried there face with mask, but their eyes were fixed on a smile. A girl was walking on the rope. She was probably 11 years old (not certain of her age, but one thing was certain. she was undernourished). She had no safety gears, only assurance she got was from her mother standing below. She was doing unbelievable stunts. I was wondering how much of hard work she might have put to perform incredible stunts like that. One thing that surprised me more than her stunts was her smile. I’m sure every time she walked on that rope she was inflicting pain on herself. Yet she consistently kept a smiling face. Even an experienced clone needs help from fake smile, which is drawn on his face. Tens of times, she walked on the rope and she had smile on her face every single time. There were two reasons for this smile. Firstly the satisfaction of displaying her art to audience. Secondly, to keep away the hunger not just for her but also for entire family.

The girl I’m talking about is a true artist in every sense. Her name is Heena. Heena has sacrificed so many things like school, friends and education. She is independent and self-reliant. She isn’t begging for charity from any. All she is asking is to keep her city clean, free from air pollution. So that she could, keep that smile on her face going. No one can stop her from performing. However, if the smog continues she would  end up burying her beautiful smile under a mask.

Photo of Heena taken during summers, shared by one of the readers