After a spell of extreme cold, when I resumed my evening walk in mid-January to the neighborhood park, I noticed a pair of gleaming steel dustbins, one for the dry waste and another for wet waste, hanging majestically to a steel frame fixed near the park entrance. Not just one, there were four pairs of new bins in the garden set around its circular walking track.
On one fine evening, I noticed one dustbin missing from the frame at the entrance gate. Within a couple of days, the second bin also disappeared. What remained behind was the shiny steel frame, just the structure proudly displaying the name of Chandigarh Municipal Corporation. While I was still lamenting the loss of the two bins, I discovered yet another trash bin missing from its site. As I continue my walk schedule, I notice more bins making a vanishing trick.
While the new dustbins are disappearing from the landscape, the fate of previously installed trash bins is no better. A few years ago, with a lot of fanfare big sturdy bins of good quality plastic were installed all over the city. Over time the lids of most of the dustbins have disappeared. The ones that still have their lids intact don’t cover the bins, but are hanging perpetually from the hinges in the opposite direction. Dirty bins with overflowing trash present an ugly sight.
To my dismay, I find my evening walk, which is otherwise refreshing and rejuvenating, being marred by my misplaced attention. The moment I step into the park, my attention goes inadvertently to the bins. Lately, I have begun to suffer from the ‘missing tile’ syndrome, (focusing on things missing in our life) or I may say ‘missing dustbin’ syndrome. Instead of focusing on the beauty of the spring bloom, greenery, and huge trees that are the abode of hundreds of parrots in the park, I am getting disturbed by the vanishing trash bins.
I must get rid of my obsession with the dustbins to count my blessings. I must acknowledge how fortunate I am to be staying in Chandigarh where there is not one, but many green open spaces, small and big parks in close proximity to my house. The park where I regularly go for my walk is lined with splendid flowering trees. As the cold winter paves way for balmy spring, the atmosphere turns magical with myriad trees blooming with pink, lilac and red flowers spreading fragrance around. I get to watch flocks of parrots returning every evening to their habitat on the huge trees all along its boundary wall. It is a sheer delight to see majestic peacocks perched on the park’s boundary wall. Also, at times, I have the joy of watching these beautiful birds strutting in the park as they cross over from the adjoining thick foliage cover. Where else can I see so many birds and hear their melodious chorus in the heart of the city?
While I wish dustbins don’t fall prey to theft, I don’t want my own happiness to be robbed by the missing bins. No more misplaced attention, I resolve to focus on the beauty of the park and soak in its natural splendor. With the promise to write pleasant and heartwarming stories of my daily walk, I sign off.
( published in HT Chandigarh as Guest column in Sunday Read on May 7 , 2023 )
Stealing metal items in Chandigarh is going on from decades. There is a gang of famales which operates in early morning hours, 2 to 4am, doing all these thefts. But police sleep over it or rather have given them this slot intentionally. This is more common in south of the city.
Oh!Frankly I never knew about the organized gang indulging in theft . I thought they are drug addicts who make small money by stealing bins. You are right local police beat may be turning a blind eye to the theft .
Bins was the starting point. Hope Madhvi you enjoyed reading the second part .
Thanks dear for reading ans giving your feedback.
Such a thoughtful output only you can derive Rama. Missing bins could not disturb you for a longer period and you started counting your blessings after a shortwhile distraction.This is the approach that makes life beautiful Inspite of all odds.
Thanks Neelam for appreciating the intent of the article. In fact, disappearing dustbins actually had started weighing on my mind . Then I took a conscious decision to distract my mind from something that I could not do anything about.
Thanks dear once again for reading and leaving your precious feedback.
Shifting one’s concentration from garden’s missing garbage bins to the beauty of nature, enjoying the creations, trees, birds, adoring the freshness that emanates from the singing melodies of the birds gives lease to one’s life. In other words you have conveyed your mind to the environment that instead of wasting one’s time and effort on frivolous worldly mandane issues, it’s good for a human mind to enjoy mother nature stretch out to happiness and lead a meaningful life. The life thats bestowed on us. Rama you have mastered justice to your art of professional expertise.
Thanks Narinder for reading with interest and leaving your wonderful comment. I must say you are a wordsmith with a master mind . In gratitude.🙏
A quick shift of mindset , from missing dustbin syndrome to the grateful heart that soaks itself in the beautiful sights and sounds around has been deftly dealt with your magic wand of exotic expression dear Rama ! Keep it up…God bless.
Thank you so much dear Mrs Dhawan for your appreciation. A big morale booster for me .
I liked the way you concluded this post. Really, everyone of us wishes for a CLEAN INDIA in reality everywhere and at each nook and corner.
Thanks Atish for your appreciation.
You have rightly pointed out that Swachch Bharat is our dream but reality is quite different . Sadly, trash can be found in every nook and corner of the country.