“My parents built their house way back in 1964, the same house that I was born in. I have seen Indiranagar transform itself from being a purely residential area to a commercial area. When I saw things going from bad to worse I decided to work for a better Indiranagar. Garbage everywhere, commercial establishments in every nook and corner. I took it up and received tremendous support from various quarters, be it residents, activists, officials, even ministers, etc.

I formed a team and we achieved quite a lot. Dry waste system was put in place. Black spots were cleared. Footpaths were cleared, commercial establishments sitting illegally in residential areas were shut down. Wet garbage was always a problem with BBMP sweepers collecting mixed waste from commercial establishments. They make their money and mix into the residential waste which one, takes up the space meant for residences in the compactor and since it’s mixed cannot be recycled. So under the guidance of Addl Commissioner, BBMP, Mr. Sarfaraz Khan, and as per SWM guidelines started moving all bulk generators to a BBMP empanelled vendor “chosen” by the Corporator.

Every time I attempted to streamline the system but the Corporator and garbage mafias ensured that BBMP did not support us. Why because the more he collects he gets paid more. Yes, we did try working with sweepers too. In fact, gave them safety gears and other gifts last year for Ayudha Puja. No, they don’t believe in loyalty!!. I’ve been accused falsely by a sweeper that I hit her with a slipper!!. When I would like to know??. So my birthday gift, while I was away can be seen in the pictures below. Heaps of garbage were placed over the front yard of my house. I was away, my elderly mother was at home with the cook. Both of them were totally shaken up. Three loads of garbage was dumped with smoke rising up to our terrace. My mother is severely asthmatic and needs oxygen at times.”

-Sneha Nandihal

Although the trash has been cleared now —thanks to support from the local MLA, volunteers from various waste management groups across Bengaluru and neighbours — the stench remains. On the other hand, Bangalore mayor G Padmavathy told Times of India, “I have heard that the person named Sneha used abusive language while speaking to pourakarmikas. They should be given respect for their work. The way they (pourakarmikas) have reacted is wrong and I will initiate action against the pourakarmikas and contractors responsible.”