Residents ‘invoke gods’ to keep street corners litter-free

SALEM

: Residents of Ambal Yeri area near Dhadagapatty in the city seem to believe only gods could save the street corners from getting littered with

garbage

. Or at least that’s what their actions suggest - they have set up small stones sprinkled with

turmeric

powder on street corners to give the public the feeling that they are worshiped as some ditties. The result is, of course, litter-free street corners.


M Rajamanickam, a resident from Ambal Yeri area, said they had urged all the residents not to litter garbage on roads. “But, no one listened to us. Many residents are found to dispose garbage on street corners. This is despite the municipal corporation placing bins on streets.”

According to S Krishnan, another resident, the garbage dumped on street corners and the stench emanating from it often make their lives miserable.

Youths in the area had tried their best to create awareness among the residents about keeping street corners free of littering, but in vain. Finally, they decided to literally invoke the gods to find a permanent solution to the issue.

“It struck to us that people would restrain from dumping garbage on street corners if they could associate it with a place of worship. So, we decided to erect small stones sprinkled with turmeric powder in such places,” said T Mathesh, one of the youths, adding, “In Hindu belief, such stones represent some deity.”

They then chose the spots and set up the stones. “We also put up a banner asking people not to litter garbage there,” Mathesh said.

The move brought a welcome result. “Now, people, especially, women don’t litter the place with garbage,” said V Sundar, another youth.

The youths feel that the entire area would be made clean if people were to use bins instead of bumping garbage on street corners.