We all are plagued by the menace of garbage, but we have become sanguine about it and now consider it as our fait accompli. But Aamir Khan has tried to facilitate us break from our reverie and to take a trip of introspection and start focusing on garbage, or the way it is accumulating it has ominous potential to drown up in its aftermath through the 3rd episode of Satyamev Jayate.
This episode primarily focused on various initiatives undertaken by the citizens in their own small ways to get rid of the menace. The quantum of Kachra that is generated has the value equivalent to 27000 crores and has the potential to provide employment to scores of people, but the catch is, to have a will to prioritize its collection and segregation. Aamir also focused on the poor garbage collectors who at times have to endure the pain of broken shreds of glasses dumped in the garbage baskets. The crux of the argument of the episode was to start segregating the garbage into wet and dry.
May be the menace of garbage needs a brand ambassador of the likes of Aamir Khan to instill in the citizens the value of garbage segregation and its safe disposal. For a megapolis like Mumbai which faces the ignominy of garbage deluge particularly during the monsoons lasting for more than four months, one should hope that before the onset of monsoon in this season, the idea of segregation of garbage would have made its presence felt, and if it does, monsoons for Mumbai could be a different one this time around. Is it a tough ask?
Aamir Khan also highlighted the initiatives undertaken by Thanjavur University of using plastics for construction of the roads and for a Mumbaikar, who is right now caught in the throes of an election, and where quality road again is a part of agenda, why not the citizens force the Municipal Corporation to start using plastics in construction of roads. It was informed through the episode that a road built out of plastic does not allow water to accumulate on the road and therefore roads do not break. Imagine a road without potholes in Mumbai during rains!
Well, it can happen, Aamir has set the agenda, but Aamir has to not leave the issue after the episode is over, but take it as a part of the cause for citizens of Mumbai, after all he also has to endure the potholes and the garbage menace, so why not lead by example!