Sunday 8 June 2014

No Spitting


Ever felt terrible when people spoil our Incredible India by spitting anywhere and everywhere?

Whether it's a wall, a freshly painted office or public space, roads, monuments... any place is good enough for spitting.

We don't spit on the walls in our homes, do we? India is our home too. Why spit & spoil our home?

Why can't we have basic civic sense?



WHY?

And no, Spitting is a bad-habit that's NOT just exhibited exclusively by the illiterate populace. I have seen the well-educated, 'elite' class indulging in the same as though it were their birthright.

Spitting is common both to the HAVES & the HAVE-NOTS. Spitting overcomes gender, location, religious & caste barriers too! Sad that our nation has so many active spitters.

Be careful while walking near a traffic-signal with parked vehicles like buses from which spit can land on your head...

Last week, I was travelling in a cab when at a traffic-signal, from the SUV that had pulled up, a middle-aged person sitting in the front-seat opened his door, got off, spit on the road and then got into the AC-comfort of the SUV. He did this like a pro. I was very disgusted. All this happened in just a few seconds and I had no time to click any pics as evidence.

Then, the traffic began to move and that SUV overtook the cab I was travelling in.


I was shocked to find the sticker-"PRESS" on the back of the same SUV... When my taxi-driver overtook that SUV, I could see that just two people were travelling in that Press-vehicle- one was the Driver and the other was the above-mentioned Spitter.

I guess people who spit are pretty used to spitting with years of practice backing them up and no-deterrence or guilt factor...

When will they learn to behave like civilized human-beings?

Strangely, the same Indians put on their best-behaviour when they are in foreign-lands. Many nations have strict punishments for such acts like spitting & littering. If we are so rule-obeying citizens when we are tourists, why can't we behave properly in our own country?

Regarding Spitting & the Mumbai Metro, we had the following conversation on Twitter:


I know about the well-maintained Japanese public transport. But, that's another story to be presented later in another post.

Meanwhile, let us all condemn spitting.

Why Spit & spoil the beauty?

Everything is public or private property.
Maintaining them should be everyone's responsibility.
Spoiling, damaging, littering, pissing, spitting... such a pity...
No Spitting anywhere - in India's village, town or city...


Note- Had written this Post last month after feeling helpless seeing a "responsible" member of the 'PRESS' indulging in the Spitting Act on the road... 
Sharing it for IndiSpire now. 


Thanks all for voting for this idea. 
May we succeed in keeping our India Spit-free & stop/change other bad habits for our India...
The next time we see people indulging in bad-habits, we can confront them there and then or click their pics & shame them.
Together we can create the India of our dreams.

Do share your views on #ChangeBadHabit4India.

Read other Posts about this IndiSpire Topic HERE.

Top post on IndiBlogger.in, the community of Indian Bloggers

86 comments:

  1. It's so sad how we indulge in Pan chewing and make our country a garbage bin. Yet, we are the first to criticize and nicely forget that happiness comes from within.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. True Vishal. Agree with you. Terrible state of affairs...

      Delete
  2. Well said Anita... All want clean India, but, hardly we see them initiating anything... Saddest part is that even if we try to, we get discouragement by all :( We need our moral values back in India... We want the same India as described by the foreign visitors to India before any foreign invasion to our land...

    Regards,
    Sindhu
    Tantu
    The Arts & Me

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amen. Totally with you, Sindhu.
      Thanks for sharing such heart-touching words.

      Delete
  3. Few things put you to shame. Thankfully Delhi Metro or I think Metro is safe from this curse. When I was a Management Trainee, one of the Officer used to spit in the pantry sink. Office issued him a notice. You have to force sense into them, otherwise they feel even public property is at their disposal, or worse, is a dustbin.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Really Saru! This is the story all over India... High time we stopped treating everything as a dust-bin!

      Delete
  4. having a sense of civic responsibility is so essential else you can't help those people .. ! Congratulation for the mile stone :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wish we could inculcate some sense & responsibility in all, Ankur.

      Delete
  5. Yes We have all faced the walls which is covered with the art...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Well written Anita! One can only hope of keeping it in a pristine shape. I'm gald we had the conversation on Twitter & I hope many people read it & would do whatever they can to not go ahead & spoil an excellent landmark in Mumbai's history. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes Rutik, agree. Welcome to my Blog :)
      Glad you started that conversation in Twitter. Last week also I had responded to a similar Spitting tweet of someone. Plus, I got to see that 'Press' 'gentleman' behaving so ungentlemanly on the road...
      May our India be saved from people who 'Spit.'
      This post had to be written. Thanks for the trigger :)

      Delete
  7. Last week, I was at Shimla and waiting for my bus. A decent looking guy was standing next to me and he kept on spitting every few minutes in the small puddle of water (because of rains) near us. It was so disgusting. I gave him a stare, he understood, why I was glaring at him but he was unfazed and continued to engage in this gross activity! Wonder when we'd be a bit more aware and conscious towards our civic responisbility!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unfortunately, we all have experienced such gross acts in public-spaces.
      Looks like we really need policing. Wish everyone is more aware & conscious.
      Thanks for sharing, Shilpa.

      Delete
  8. I know a lot of people who need to read this.

    Hat's off to you Anita, for writing about this. Satyamev Jayate :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Soumya for your appreciation & support.
      Many people ought to be more socially responsible. Sadly, those people are too busy spitting rather than doing any constructive reading or following sane advice...

      Delete
  9. Welcome to my Blog! Thank you so much for stopping by & for your wishes :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I hate people who lack civic sense. Spitting and urinating anytime and anywhere comes naturally to most Indians and sadly we do not even know what exactly a good civic sense is. Nice collection of signs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Welcome to my Blog & thanks for commenting, Ankita.
      High time we adopt a good civic sense. The signs are from Google :)

      Delete
  11. one of the worst thing is that this habit is got nothing with being educated or civic or uneducated .. everyone seems to be doing it and this is funny I was on way from india to london.. there were these three men who for some reason were right in front of me for a long way right from the parking of the car at airport to the plane.. just a coincidence .. I saw them SPIT at all places.. and then spit theire gum etc..

    and surprising was when they landed at london.. the same men used the BIN to spit the gum they had ..

    so you can imagine what the mentality is .. ITS INDIAAAAAAA chalta hai and yet they dare not do the same ...
    its this attitude that need s changing ...

    Bikram

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for sharing this true-life experience, Bikram. That's the reality.
      The same people behave differently in a foreign place. Why the Chalta-Hai attitude for our home-country, India?
      Attitude needs change...

      Delete
  12. Nice message put across, Anita :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. a real life problem which can be solved after a serious introspection done by those who commit such mistake and makes the society as well as surrounding dirty...
    or else it will be treated as a "dust-bin" as it is being done today...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Very true, Ashish.
      May the spitting champions stop their spitting marathon...
      Hope everyone treats our country with respect & not treat it like a "dust-bin"....

      Delete
    2. well actually i am also waiting for that day for a decade now... :(
      lets see when it comes...

      Delete
    3. Seriously!
      But, it won't happen automatically... we have to take action & ensure implementation.

      Delete
  14. It's a thing I really hate...so obnoxious....timely post and well said....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Mani. They don't see anything... they just spit even not bothering if they are spitting on someone's feet!

      Delete
  15. I myself have seen so many educated people spitting without any guilt in the middle of the streets ! Hopefully they realize the disgust and harm the are causing others and put a fullstop to such uncivilized behavior:/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Truly. Shame on them. They have no conscience/values...
      Amen.

      Delete
  16. Congratulations first for asking a right question and getting picked and then spreading an equally important cause

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Chaitali :)
      Congrats to everyone who supports good causes for our India. May we together make India incredible.

      Delete
  17. Anita you are a wonderful blogger and a good human being ..
    Cheers to Anita :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for such kind words, Ananya :)
      Ditto for you! Cheers :)

      Delete
  18. Nice post Anita, you are doing such a great job. Thanks for awaking people...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Punam. It's a drop in the ocean, but many drops make an ocean...
      We need policing & awakening.
      May we all step into these roles for our India...

      Delete
  19. Good post Anita, though you cannot change anyone out here, but yes you tried your bit :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alok, That day. I wanted to stop that PRESS vehicle and confront that gentleman there. But, I didn't do that I was already late for my daughter's summer-class. Just clicked pics of the vehicle. The number-plate is there to track!
      But, today I asked a driver why he had littered plastic wrappers on the road & told him that he is not supposed to do that (as if he didn't know!)

      Delete
  20. Another bed bug gripping the sick mentality of the Nation, Anita.
    Zero Civic Sense.
    Nicely elaborated. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Truly & unfortunately yes, Poonam...
      Thanks :)

      Delete
  21. Nicely put in words , Thanks for this !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks a lot. You have covered so many points in your Post :)

      Delete
  22. I am afraid that we are not - even now - used to living in cities :) Villages and traveling in open countryside does not make spitting such a nasty littering habit and, it seems to me, that people still think that they live in villages :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am sorry but felt I should be jotting down my opinion on this. It isn't about region, city, or village, or lives. Since, Mumbai is considered as CITY in India, what say about the people born and brought up there? Trust me, that's just something people need to get right and has nothing to do with village. Again, sorry if I didn't get it right. Just my opinion.

      Delete
    2. Sureshji, The same people are at their best behaviour when abroad... Can't say if it's village-mentality... But, do wish they stopped treating our country like a dust-bin...
      Humans evolved from apes. I need to find many answers- Do apes spit? Did early man spit? Who started spitting? Why do people in some countries exhibit better civic-sense?... Lots of Qns in my list! Research needed :)

      Shashank, Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Yes, people born & bred in metro-cities also indulge in this shamelessly. When in foreign countries, they are disciplined!
      I feel it is a behaviourial & attitude problem. Catch them young & teach them.
      Charity begins at home...

      Delete
  23. Couldn't agree more. Yuck! I hate it when people do it. And, they at times are so oblivious to person passing them by they almost spit on them. How could someone do that? I don't understand. Let alone the habit, how could one not feel disgusted doing that?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Shashank. Disgusting. They don't even care is anyone is near them...
      Many times I have fortunately escaped as the spit landed a few centimeters away from me & not on me...

      Delete
  24. It's quite strange how we Indians treat the whole country as a big garbage tank or a public toilet.

    ReplyDelete
  25. A must read for every one..Nice take Anita :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. I have just missed being spitted on from the passengers in a bus while travelling on the two-wheeler many times, & it takes a lot of skill sometimes to anticipate the trajectory :D
    But the number is really low these days right? At least, here I felt the number has lowered a lot :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for sharing your experience.
      Yes, at greatest risk are passengers on two-wheelers & pedestrians, who are easy targets in the path of the spit-missile trajectory... Sad...
      Do hope we all are spared the ordeal... Best wishes to us.

      Delete
  27. Firstly, congos! :D
    Secondly, the bad habit you choose to eradicate, is something I want to eradicate too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Bushra :D
      May we succeed in our common objectives & goals for a great India.

      Delete
  28. awww mera comment kahaan gum hoi gaya ...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bhavana, Sorry to have missed your candid comment.
      Could you please type it again here?

      Has happened many times with me. I type a big comment & then, whooosh!, & it disappears without a trace & the back button does not help... :)

      Delete
  29. When I saw this topic as indispire weekly topic the one and only thing that instantly came into my mind was this Spitting habit .. this is no less than a BIMARI .. you are driving smoothly and suddenly somebody will spit on road, they cud be ahead of your car/bike or a cud b a passerby, anyone .. this is such an ewwwwwww thing.. almost everyday, when I have to drive atleast 20km ( going to work and coming back) .. I used to see this type ppl.. they dont care tht how disgusting it is !!! I feel sick.. ewwww.. god knows when our hindustani ppl will understand this simple thing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Bhavana for taking the effort & retyping your comment :)
      Feel sorry & helpless to learn of your experience. In those 20 kms you cover for work, you have to see this many times...
      So hope & wish that we don't have to encounter this...
      How can we ensure enforcement of a 'No Spitting' rule?

      Delete
  30. If only there was a fine associated with it and the fine is a huge amount..hmmm.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Padhma for sharing your right observation.
      Many countries have strict fine/penalty for such 'crimes'... May we also implement it & save our India.

      Delete
  31. Unfortunately people unapologetic about spitting in public place. I know I have had this paan spit all over me once some one spit out while driving and I was just about to cross...I have seen and even hit by those spit flying by ....urgh! I hate those days and feel so gross....Sadly these people don't even think about the implications on health.
    I need to shower again! You did the right thing today Anita by confronting the rikshawala (some guts huh lady :) ) ...I know I have littered chocolate wrappers and paper tickets on the road while I was in school and college...I admit I have done that, but after seeing how this side of the world condemns littering (in most places) I have changed and changed for good. I maintain my civic sense no matter where I am now. You are on a roll to revolutionise :) Love reading your thoughtful posts...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Truly Vidhya.
      I am sorry to learn of your experience. Many of us have such horror stories to share...:(

      I never fail to remind my kid not litter on the road. Wish all parents train their kids from a young age. But, that can be possible if the parents themselves are aware & are responsible citizens...

      Thank you so much for your kind words & support!
      Really appreciate :)

      Delete
  32. First of all. Congratssssssss for being selected for IndiSpire.
    I just wrote my post to support your topic (that's what bloggers do right) :)

    Now coming to your post. Yes I do agree with everything you say. I have seen some places where you can't even step your foot. The government should be more strict against it and it should be fined coz we are not sensible enough to understand anything ourselves.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Anmol! Great that people thought the topic important enough to vote for it :)
      I read your post! It has many valid points & well-expressed.
      Yes, as Bloggers, we do have the chance to write & do right. That makes us powerful!

      It's so sad that our bad habits are ruining our country...
      You are right that strict fines should help make us 'sensible' :)
      Hoping for 'Sense & Sensibility' :)

      Delete
  33. A sad reality :-(

    ReplyDelete
  34. Anita a great topic with endless possibilities..but a start has to be made some where..loved your article..:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Arathi :) Welcome to my Blog!
      Very true. We have to be the change we wish to see...

      Delete
  35. As usual an awesome post Anita.
    But we all know how this ends.
    It just will get worse.
    I see a few people do a good deed, but its always covered by many others through littering and spitting like never before.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your appreciation :)
      True Lancelot. But, we mustn't give up.
      If all of us are equally concerned & committed to maintain our India, who can stop us?
      We'll bring the defaulters to book...

      Delete
  36. congrats Anita! Thanks for the topic, Spitting in the public is the most dirtiest most obnoxious of all. The other day a person while spitting on the road accidentally spit on a passerby's hand so, yes a spit can land on our head too

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Datta.Yes, truly.
      How obnoxious & gross is that! When will some people learn?

      Delete
  37. It's a way of life for some...walking quickly past buses with open windows has become second nature to me because I'm not sure what "blessing" I am going to receive!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for sharing. Am sorry that you have to adopt this second nature.
      I pray for a truly incredible India where there are no bad-habits...
      Wishing all of us real blessings & no curse like spit landing on us...

      Delete
  38. Nice post Anita & congrats for the Indispire . We need to change our ways to see the changes . Spitting ? littering are two most disgusting habits people have . Just wish people learn to keep surroundings clean .

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Garima :)
      Truly. Change begins with us.
      Hope together we'll be able to bring about positive change soon.

      Delete
  39. crores spend on renovation and cleanliness of Cannaught Place (New Delhi) during CWG 2010 , this place is again ruined with spitting, there should be a fine and strictness for those who spit.

    My IndiSpire post Bharat Humko Jaan Se Pyara Hai

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. True Cifar.
      May we all maintain the cleanliness of our country.

      Delete
  40. Glad that you took a picture of that guy. Perhaps he might read and take note.. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I took a pic of the vehicle he was travelling in...couldn't manage a pic of the guy as his spitting act was too quick!...
      Hope none of us indulges in such spitting acts...

      Delete
  41. All in our culture .... We will see some change, only if do some soul searching, introspect, learn to be sensitive and respectful of our surrounding - people and places, Until then, we will just have debates and laws. Nothing more. Nothing less. Sad and cynical. But I guess, realistic and true.

    ReplyDelete
  42. One we need to be conscious of the fact that cleanliness is not just for the interiors of our houses, but also for our surroundings. Basically, our culture has to change.

    ReplyDelete

Your words mean a lot to me.

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