Another Festival Gone by…a letter from the streets

The streets of Hyderabad wrote me a letter saying that they were happy to host the festival Bonnalu, that just concluded, but they don't seem very pleased with all the litter we have left behind. So here is what the streets think.

During Bonnalu the streets was an utter roit of colors and emotions,there was loud music, the streets were all decorated with lights and flowers and what a sight to see all the women dressed up taking offerings to mother divine - milk, jaggery and rice, that they place on their heads, all in a pot and the pot is covered with neem leaves. (would be easier if I just put up a pic, well let me see…)
Found it...

Apparently this festival originated because its the Ashad Maas, according to the hindu lunar calendar and thats when we have rains and water pollution and children falling sick. So these women, specially from slums decided that every year they go and pray to mother divine to protect their children in particular and family in general.

As a street in India, I do feel proud for witnessing such exhibitions of faith and the commitment to wards culture- Its so smart and there is so much depth and I must say, you Indians take it away every time, for depth and spirituality and all.

However after the festival, when you are wandering on the streets its not a pleasant sight. Here is what exactly happens, since so many people have gathered together: 

• there is trash everywhere - cause everyone is bringing offerings to Mother Divine in Plastic bags - fruits, flowers and Puja ka samaan
• There are some corners with gory blood stains - since they sacrifice chickens, hens and goats to please mother divine
• Over burnt wood would be lying in some corner, that was used for mass cooking
• the pavements have these temporary tents where families that have come from far are chilling out with their relatives
• hence children are peeing and potting in available road space
• the water bodies are polluted like nobody's business
• the music so so loud, its definitely the highest level of noise pollution there can be, maybe coming next only to a rocket launch
• there are unscheduled power cuts
• thats a long list but I'm not here to complaint, just so that you get the idea (and Im not posting the picture of trash, cause you would know how its like if your an Indian :(

This is what happens every single year and its all over the city, not just a few places. So when your are on the streets after the festival, its dirty, gory and smelly. So IRONIC considering that the entire festival is about praying to mother Divine to heal and protect people from the diseases that is caused by rains/ filth. Very ironic indeed.

I'm taking the example of a particular festival, but my concern remains the same, that why can't YOU PEOPLE upgrade yourselves so that you also include cleanliness as a part of your festivities.

I'm sure your local elected representatives can talk to the organizers and maybe give away prizes for the cleanest and well conducted Bonnalu/ or any festival award.

or call them on a talk show and get them interviewed or publish about them in the newspapers or better still put up banners or posters proclaiming they are winners, I don't know the possibilities are endless.

There can be a way, IF there is a will. Im praying you humans look into these issues more seriously and find solutions and closures to these little but potent irritants that so graciously survive on ignorance. So that you celebrate your festivals in the true spirit - CLEAN FUN!

Stay clean, stay healthy and enjoy the rains!

Love

President

Streets of Hyderabad 

Supported by Streets of India

Image Source : Google images