Fruits of People’s Action - By Kumar Pravesh
krpravesh@gmail.com
When a foreigner living in Chand society once asked the locals as to why there is so
much filth across the road, especially bank opposite the holy cross. “This is our culture”
came a prompt reply. The foreigner said, “No, It’s not culture, but lack of culture.”
Has living in filth become our culture? Has pessimism gone into our DNA? Or is it lame
excuse for our inaction, lack of passion to change or at least to try?
The residents of Juhu complained to the authorities, ran from pillar to post, faced
hardships, but did not lose hope. They marched on the Juhu Church Road, had dialogue
with the BMC, Police and Traffic authorities. The authorities supported to a great extent
and the hawkers who used to occupy almost half the road space of Juhu Church Road
were disciplined. Plastic bollards supplied by the Traffic police were put to make a safe
walkway for the pedestrians. The garbage dump near Kailash building was removed, the
area cleaned and two new garbage-bins provided by BMC were placed nicely. But BMC
has yet to take action against encroachments by shopkeepers.
On Mukteshwar Dewalaya Marg, diagonally opposite Chand society there used to be a
huge heap of garbage, today there is a beautiful walkway protected by colourful railings.
Thanks to the tireless and dedicated efforts of socially conscious local citizens especially
Neha Kumar of Chand-Chandan ALM, Adolf D’souza of Juhu Citizens Welfare Group,
Gleason Barretto of GARAJ, Tony D’Souza of Jagran, active members of A.B.Nair Road
ALM, Military Road ALM, Gandhi Gram Road Residents Association and the generous
sponsorship of railings by Rakesh Sinha of R.S.&Co.Western Union Money Transfer this
transformation has taken place. Once the storm water drain is constructed by BMC, this
walkway will be fully functional.
The struggle of Juhu citizens is bearing fruits. A new Storm Water Drain is being
constructed on the periphery of Juhu market.
Seeing these changes some members of Chand society approached the group. Within a
few days the hawkers were streamlined and fixed metal bollards were placed to make
safe walkway for the pedestrians along the boundary wall of the society. The material
required for this walkway was provided by Chand society.
This is just a beginning. We must determine to protect our Juhu. Only then we can say
this is JUHU HAMARA.