By Dr. K. Javeed Nayeem, MD

Come Dasara and it is time to give ‘Namma Mysuru’ its annual makeover, to make it appear at its most beautiful to all those who flock here for our centuries old Nada Habba.

This is the time of the year when all our guests go back feeling happy that they have visited a place that richly deserves a pride of place among the most beautiful cities of our country. And, this is also the time of the year when we Mysureans too, have some reason to feel happy that our city roads and pavements get a much-needed facelift.

Yes, that is all there is for us by way of a Dasara gift that is bestowed upon us year after year. It is a different matter that the quality of this face-lifting plastic surgery is good enough to ensure that its good effects last exactly for no more than three months. But we still feel happy that at least for three months in a year we get to walk or drive hassle-free, with some safety and comfort, while we wait patiently over the remaining nine months, like expectant mothers, for the next year’s Dasara to come!

Yes, we are a very patient lot indeed. Although not actually associated with Dasara, we are seeing a widespread spree of developmental activity going on across the length and breadth of the city these days. Roads everywhere have been dug up for various reasons. While in some places it is to lay gas pipelines, in some others it is to relay drainage pipes to replace the old and defunct ones.

But there are two other activities that perturb and perplex me, which I have been seeing over the past few years. One is the replacement at great cost, of the age-old strong and solid granite slabs covering our stormwater drains with relatively fragile concrete ones that only have a very limited lifespan. And the other is the construction, at a considerably much greater cost, of new, very badly designed, box type of stormwater drains along roads where the older ones were already doing a very satisfactory job or along stretches where they are completely unnecessary. This seems like a ‘Have money, will spend’ self-enrichment policy that leaves us all poorer by the constantly increasing taxes we all pay for the upkeep of our city.

Most of these hi-tech drains are such marvels of civil engineering that they have neither openings nor exits for the stormwater they are supposed to convey, let alone the right gradient that water needs to flow smoothly. But needless to say, they have all undoubtedly succeeded in conveying our taxes to the right destinations of all the vested interests who are foisting them upon us.

The saddest part is that we citizens too never question the logic behind such insane projects. If we do, I’m sure that the intentions and expertise of their architects and executors will be exposed. But this does not happen and the sordid con game goes on unchecked because we are happy and quite contented with the little good that it does to our lives. We can at least ask the powers that be, to consult and take the opinions of knowledgeable citizens, before embarking on any major developmental works. Their experience and wisdom are bound to do us all much good.

As things stand, on rare occasions the concerned people do heed to our opinions and I saw a very small example of this element of goodness. Nearly six months ago I had written in this column about the grave danger to which security guards deployed on the Karanji Tank bund road were exposed to. I had even posted a photo of a guard seated on the roadside under a self-made cardboard shelter, exposed to the very real risk of being run over by a passing vehicle on the extremely narrow road, especially under the cover of darkness.

For six months, I used to feel anguished on seeing these guards in the same perilous situation, as I drove to the Karanji Tank for my daily morning walk. But today morning I was able to heave a sigh of relief when I saw that a proper metal cabin had been erected there for a guard to take shelter from the elements and also remain safe from the passing vehicles.

Thankfully the structure has also been very thoughtfully designed too, without any portion of it projecting onto the road. But a little distance away, across the road, an ugly structure has been standing for some time which has been completely marring the beauty of the serene place. It is a tin shed with a fenced portion filled by all kinds of scrap, presumably put up for sorting and storing garbage. But why it had to be put up there is beyond my comprehension because it is a real eyesore. I appeal to the authorities concerned to get rid of this structure immediately because it just does not belong in such a beautiful place.

Another action that can enhance the beauty of the entire stretch of the tank bund road is the clearing up of all the wild shrubbery inside the chain link fence that is now obstructing the beautiful view of the serene lake. This needs to be done from time to time so that anyone passing along that road can soak in the beauty that is now begging to be seen.

It is in showcasing even the tiniest bits and pieces of the beauty of our city, with a little bit of thoughtfulness, that its glory can be properly presented to all those who visit it or even live here. Poet Ben Johnson has rightly said: “In small proportions we just beauties see; And in short measures, life may perfect be!” Is someone listening? 

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