Wow! Is this how we respect our martyrs: Ashamed!

“Unish a alpona ar shara bochor nordoma ei amader Sahid der obostha!” this is exactly what crossed my mind today morning. On my way from Annapurna Ghat to Rangirkhari, while passing through Shillongpatty I saw something which is extremely difficult to soak in.

Right next to the main gate of Chhotelal Seth Institute there is a statue of Late Kamala Bhattacharya. She laid her life on May 19, 1961, and is one of them for whom Bengali is still an official language in Assam. She was just 16 when a bullet fired by Assam Rifles personnel pierced through her eye to hit deep in the head. The bust in front of the institute is a tribute to her and the garbage right in front of the statue a salutation by the people of Barak Valley.

If it pained me so much, imagine what her family members go through when they pass those streets. While we might blame the government and administration all our life it is us – the common citizens who are to be blamed. Our awareness about the environment, hygiene, and waste management was always questioned but now we are becoming inhumane.

This is the same bust to which a garland is put on May 19 every year, this is the same bust where flowers are showered on the day ‘Sahid Divas’ (Martyrs Day). Right in front of the same bust today there is a stockpile of garbage. If busts breathe then I am sure she’s wondering why the ‘smelly’ air she is inhaling is filled with diseases.

This image clicked today morning at 7:05 AM shows the level to which we have stooped down. We have been throwing garbage wherever it suits us and this is nothing new. But, now we have reached a point where we do not care about our martyrs too, so, that means all the 19th May celebrations are just tokenism? In actual there is no respect in our mind?

Today we comfortably cross stockpile of garbage with handkerchiefs on our nose but that day is not far when we will start living somewhere inside a mountain of garbage breathing like hell. That day we must look at us and say, we did this to ourselves. As far as Kamala Bhattacharya is concerned, “Ma’am I am sorry we are insulting you in this manner. Actually, we have never sacrificed our sleep for others, how will we understand the value of your sacrifice.”

Hope she wakes up to a new fresher air tomorrow…