Litter India
Based on the Do Not Litter symbol often found on food packaging, this graphic attempts to portray the ‘wastebin-like’ treatment given to India by a majority of its citizens (educated or uneducated), as if the country is a large trash-bin. People littler almost anywhere or everywhere in India; their littering habit perhaps also reflects their lack of interest in the upkeep of their own country….
Some people have expressed their dissatisfaction about this graphic so it must be mentioned that the graphic is about the ‘act’ or ‘ignorance’ of treating India like a wastebin. Free of litter, with its unparalleled diversity, India could be one of the most beautiful (if not the most beautiful) countries in the world.
My sister and I have just returned from a 5 week tour of india and we were so shocked at the relentless litter throwing…On one journey we took the toy train from Mettupalayam to Ooty, a stunning train journey through the verdant hill stations, however the views were marred by the endless stream of used plastic bottles, food packaging and plastic bags. Indeed the indian citizens in our carriage were all throwing their rubbish out the windows without care and consideration for their enviroment…it was very sad to watch.
One of the worst littered places we visited on a previous visit to India in 2008 was the Elephanta Caves in Mumbai…they were so unkemp and we were utterly shocked and saddened to even see a used menstruation item in a small pond near some ancient holy carvings of Lord Shiva. It was floating amongst plastic bottles and other waste.
From the waterfalls in Wayanad to the backwaters of Alleppey… one thing was guranteed to ruin these once beautiful and natural settings for us and that was the LITTER, endless piles and plies of it on some occasions… it has actually put me off visiting India because I think that if the citizens can’t be bothered to look after their naturally beautiful land and antiquated heritage sights then why should we spend vast amounts of money in revenue as tourists?
The “litter Image” image is quite controversial and sad to see but what is even more poignant and distressing is the unfortunate and appropriate truth that this image currently exudes.
anjali
5 Mar 09 at 8:41 pm
Thank you, Anjali, for your insightful comment.
Mayank
5 Mar 09 at 9:04 pm
anjali..are you from india?
well,im doin a project on littering as my course requires me to..
id want to hv more opinions from you if you have the time.
anchal
12 Jan 10 at 1:23 pm
I work in a drive thru liquor store in the outer suburbs of Melbourne Australia
We are situated in the middle of a ‘Little India’ precinct, with around 30 Indian shops including restaraunts and clothing stores and because of this, a rather high volume of our clientele are Indian immigrants
I realise how dangerous it can be to enter into racist rhetoric, but I’ll say what I’ve got to say regardless
Most indian people are pathological litterbugs. Their total lack of regard is utterly disgusting
India was always near the top of the list of places I wanted to travel to in my lifetime, but the attitudes I have witnessed over the last few years in my job have greatly diminished my desire to visit the country. If I find it so hard to stomach even on a small scale ie- constantly watching Indians throw their cigarette wrappers on the street in Melbourne, how can I expect to be able to travel through India without being absolutely dismayed and appalled?
People of India…….the world is not your bin. Kindly find one and place your rubbish in it
Aroes
27 Jun 10 at 6:08 am
Hi Aroes, as an Indian national I share your sentiment. Our governments over the years have done almost nothing about the alarming problem of waste in India, leave alone educate its people about littering or handling waste. A vast population of India which is uneducated or poorly educated don’t even know they are doing something wrong by littering! Indians aren’t all that bad, in fact they are very hospitable people and India is a beautiful country but I agree that the omnipresent litter here definitely overshadows India’s beauty.
Mayank
27 Jun 10 at 10:23 am