Title: Appalled by Filth & Chaos: Hansal on Mumbai’s Infrastructure
Mumbai, the city of dreams, where the streets are paved with gold, or so they say. But, for filmmaker Hansal Mehta, the reality is far from it. He recently took to social media to express his frustration and disdain for the city’s infrastructure, calling out the residents’ collective indifference towards the filth and chaos that surrounds them.
Mehta’s scathing criticism of the city’s condition is a stark reminder of the harsh realities that Mumbai’s residents face on a daily basis. From overflowing garbage bins to congested roads, and from crumbling infrastructure to inadequate public services, the city’s problems are as numerous as they are daunting. And yet, despite these challenges, many Mumbaikars seem resigned to their fate, accepting the status quo as the norm.
Mehta’s outburst is a call to action, urging authorities to take responsibility for the city’s decay and residents to demand better. He writes, “How long will we continue to live like this?…I still believe I love this city…But it’s strangled by those in power…They profit from its decay and dress it up as resilience.” His words are a powerful indictment of the system, highlighting the need for change and the importance of holding those in power accountable.
One of the most striking aspects of Mehta’s rant is his observation that the city’s residents are complicit in their own misery. He notes that Mumbaikars are so accustomed to the chaos and filth that they have become desensitized to it, accepting it as a natural part of life. This collective indifference is a major obstacle to change, as it allows those in power to continue neglecting the city’s infrastructure and services, secure in the knowledge that the public will tolerate anything.
Mehta’s words are a wake-up call, urging residents to take responsibility for their own lives and to demand better from their leaders. He reminds us that the city’s problems are not insurmountable, but rather the result of a lack of vision and leadership. He writes, “We don’t need more plans or projects. We need a sense of urgency and a willingness to take bold action.”
So, what can be done to address Mumbai’s infrastructure woes? For starters, the government needs to take a more proactive approach to addressing the city’s problems. This means investing in infrastructure, upgrading public services, and holding those responsible for the city’s decay accountable. It also means engaging with residents and listening to their concerns, rather than simply paying lip service to their needs.
Residents, too, have a role to play in driving change. By demanding better from their leaders and by supporting initiatives that aim to improve the city’s infrastructure and services, they can help create a sense of urgency and momentum for change. They can also take small steps to make a difference in their own neighborhoods, such as participating in clean-up initiatives or advocating for local improvements.
Mehta’s rant is a powerful reminder of the importance of speaking truth to power and of demanding better from those who govern us. It is a call to action, urging us to take responsibility for our own lives and to demand a better future for ourselves and for our city. As he so eloquently puts it, “How long will we continue to live like this?…I still believe I love this city…But it’s strangled by those in power…They profit from its decay and dress it up as resilience.”
In conclusion, Mehta’s outburst is a timely reminder of the need for change and the importance of holding those in power accountable. It is a call to action, urging residents to take responsibility for their own lives and to demand better from their leaders. By working together, we can create a better future for ourselves and for our city, one that is characterized by cleanliness, order, and a sense of community.
