Make the move

New wave

One seeks change in their lives with each passing year. And with a new year here, it’s time to adhere to new resolutions and pledges and usher in that change. This is not just limited to changes within us but our surroundings as well. An end to traffic snarls, reduction of potholes and showing more consideration to fellow beings are a few steps in this direction. Youngsters in the City, who are looking for this transformation, share their thoughts and plans with ‘Metrolife’ .

A sea of traffic

Nikitha Mutha, a student of St Joseph’s College of Arts and Science, says, “Our city isn’t all that perfect. While talking of changes, I can actually come up with a dozen of them. However, the first thing that comes to a Bengalurean’s mind when they think about the City is the traffic. Solving the traffic problem is the need of the hour. The never-ending traffic jams, dust and pollution seem to pile up with each passing day. If we want to make this City a better place for the next generation, we have to act fast and now.”

Count your blessings

Ritika Jadwani, a final-year student of St Joseph’s College of Commerce, says, “This year should see a positive transformation in the city by ensuring strict and well-placed laws for women and increasing their safety. Innovative steps should be taken to promote our City as a tourist destination by creating awareness of hidden tourist spots in Bengaluru. Our City is blessed with good climate as compared to other metropolis. This should act as a motivation for the authorities to take adequate steps to preserve the title of the ‘Garden City’ and promote it by marketing through travel portals.”

Charity begins at home

Akshay Kothari, a final-year student of St Joseph’s College of Commerce, says, “Extending help towards the poor is my first wish in the list of changes. The government should render help by providing food and healthcare services to the poor. As residents, we should also come forward and help the needy. Garbage and traffic issues are the second thing on my list. Not just the government, but citizens also should shoulder these responsibilities. If the metro and other means of public transport are effectively used by us, then the issue of traffic will be reduced to a great extent. I would also like to see faster progress towards the ‘Namma metro’ project so that all the other metro lines are launched soon.” 

A thought for the needy

Alan Georgy Mattew,  a final-year BCom student of St Joseph’s College, says, “I wish the City sees all the promises, made during elections, bear fruit this year. I wish we all see quality roads soon. The unscientific design of roads has taken so many lives in the past few years. Not just the government, but even citizens should connect with NGOs so that the old and the disabled, and people who are begging and living on the streets, can be helped. Moreover, maybe once a week or once a month, people of each locality can come together and provide food to poor people of that particular area, collect clothes and distribute them in that locality. Another change is the menace of stray dogs. They all hit the streets because there is no one to care for them. So, if we all come together and help these dogs find their way to an animal shelter, they will have a home to live. Consequently, we will also not be troubled.”

A safe and secure city

Akshita Rajendra, a final-year BCom student of St Joseph’s College of Commerce, opines, “The security system should be improved in the City. Secondly, authorities should enforce people to use the metro facility in order to take a step forward towards the reduction of traffic. Exclusive lanes for public transport, especially ambulances, should be initiated. Strict rules should be made in terms of cleanliness of public spaces and action should be taken if someone breaks these rules. We see garbage lying in the open in most places which can be the reason for all grave diseases like dengue and malaria. We can be more responsible by not using plastic bags, not littering and stopping our friends from doing the same.”

As told to Surupasree Sarmmah