By Qamar ZJ
The Ugly Indian (TUI), an anonymous group of citizens are transforming Bangalore’s open spaces for many years now with ‘spot fixing’. The last one month was no exception. And everytime, the ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures bring a smile to our faces and imbue a feeling of hope. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) deserves all the credit for using the low-cost services of this group to beautify the city’s dirtiest spots with volunteers and its pourakarmikas.
The latest cleanup and beautification happened in Koramangala opposite the main Passport office. According to TUI, “This has been one of the most difficult spots to eliminate as there have been attempts before, but we are optimistic that it will sustain this time!”
Here are some prominent garbage-free efforts they have made in the last one month across the city.
Oct 10
TUI: “Another one gone! 1 more Open Garbage spot in CV Raman Nagar Ward 57 is eliminated! 6 such spots have stayed clean for a week now – these aren’t just space transformation projects, they are complete solutions.”
Oct 9
TUI: “Illegal railway crossing – garbage dump issue fixed in CV Raman Nagar. Tackling a typical problem at unwalled railway properties across Blr. In the past three days, this solution has turned the tide. It’s a good start!”
Oct 8
TUI: “Mission OGFBengaluru continues in Ward 57 CV Raman Nagar! Another chronic open garbage dump on an open plot under litigation spotfixed. It’s been clean for a week, for the first time in decades! Joint effort of BBMP + local residents + volunteers.”
Oct 7
TUI: “Residents of this CV Raman Nagar lane had complained and suffered for years about a vacant plot turning into a garbage dump. Last week, they teamed up with BBMP and worked for a day. Action works better than talk. Try it.”
Oct 2
TUI: “Unplog10K was a fitting tribute to Gandhiji! Over 25 of Bengaluru’s runners could not find garbage spots over 10km in city centre at 630am – and no special preparations were made to clean the streets in advance!”
Sept 27
TUI: “FreeTheTree Indiranagar freed 8 trees today! The metal guards had protected them for nine years, but were now choking them. Great work by Defence Colony residents + volunteers. The guards will be repaired and used again for new saplings.”
Sept 28
TUI: “HealBengaluru continues at Richmond Circle Flyover! Thanks to NEB Sports EPL for creating employment & helping spread positivity in the heart of Bengaluru! This segment on KH Road will soon get totally transformed – this is stage 1!”
Sept 29
TUI: “Spotfixing for Corona Helpline. Inspired by @Captain_Mani72
& the amazing Team @BommanhalliBBMP, supported by Azim Premji Foundation, 300+ walls across the city now show 24×7 Corona Helpline No to help with info, free testing & hospitals. This image is of one such exercise done in Pulikeshi Nagar on Sept 26.
Sept 27
TUI: “Stunning transformation at Jogupalya by a joint team of #BBMP officers, Marshals and citizens to eliminate an open garbage spot! Let’s spotfix Bengaluru – 1 ugly spot at a time. When govt & citizens work together, nothing is impossible!”
Sept 20
TUI: “Free The Tree spotfix in progress at Lalbagh South Gate! Come join – volunteers at work till 1130am, lots of trees need to be freed from trash & unwanted tree guards that choke them & get used as dustbins.”
Sept 18
TUI: “The city is grateful to CGI Global for supporting the HealBengaluru campaign at E-City Expressway. Over 75 pillars are being transformed to create a sense of positivity, in partnership with BBMP & NHAI.”
All pics courtesy: The Ugly Indian
