Nothing can afford to be in the wrong place and capable of being a hazard. Things need to be organized and streamlined – at all times.

If that be it, why is it that despite the existence of Municipal councilors, member of legislative assembly, Member of Parliament and what not, city and mofussil areas are full of filth, dirt, posing innumerable health hazard --- from dengue to chikungunia?

The other day, post a heavy shower I was driving through the residential colony. Water puddles, huge waste bins, electric poles with naked wire, telephone junction, a tea-shop on wheels, and every other conceivable impediments to a pedestrian would come his way. But what is missing are pedestrian walkways --- that can be safe for children, adults and octogenarians to walk!

Walkways are totally missing in most of the city stretches, or been consumed bishop keepers, hoardings, cut-outs. In some places, the road ends flush along the walls of some ‘rich and famous’.

It is indeed a pity to see office goers, school children and aged parents wade through water, find islands of dry areas to step on, look with fear at approaching vehicle splashing water and sending ripples.

On a day when I had a driver to drop me at the Chennai airport, right from home – Tiruvanmiyur till Meenambakkam, I sought to observe two things: 1) Areas that had decent pedestrian walk way/pavements, 2) If pavement were in place, would a kid or an old man be safe walking his way freely without a fall /hurdle. This is about nearly 16 km stretch. Save the TIDELPark stretch, there was no safe pedestrian walkway! If one drove within residential colonies, it was more of a menace!

I would urge bloggers to observe this aspect for yourself!

If you were to walk to fetch your kid from school, or escort your parents it would be a nightmare!

Can we try and get our Municipal Councilors and such elected Corporation leaders to go for a walk – along any chosen stretch, and see if they can be safe out there without being tripped or having to hop over some dug-up areas, puddle or an open garbage bin! If something is not in its right order, they should be hauled up for ill-maintenance and the physical / health hazard. WHY NOT?

At a time when we can claim and sing glories of our six decades of Independent India, there is a far-need out there.  

I’d love to suggest Shekar Gupta to take a celebrity for a ‘Walk the Talk’ interview along such ‘realistic settings’ than the great lawns, beach ways that often give us a make-believe message that ‘all is fine and great’!