The other side of Great Wall
Last Sunday, despite my tight schedule, I made it a point to visit Mahim, Tulsi pipe road where a 2 day Wall project was happening in Mumbai. In case you are not aware of, the project was scheduled for 15th and 16th August, 2009 to commemorate our Independence day.
The project is brainchild of some enthusiasts who could not see this wall (from Mahim to Dadar running along the western railway line in Mumbai) becoming an open urinal & a place for paan spitting. They approached BMC and offered their services to paint this stretch.
BMC agreed, provided all raw material such as paints, brushes, sprayers, stools, portable toilets etc. and so 2 days were fixed for the job. Everyone cheered at the spirit of people of Mumbai and of BMC and everything went hunky-dory on Independence day.
This was the biggest canvas ever made available to public for painting their thoughts and messages. The response was lively. People from all walks of life demonstrated their skills at creativity and painted the wall beautiful. The chaiwallas, in the spirit of I-Day, distributed free tea to all the artists.
We needed it. The feel, the emotion, the spirit. To show our concern and solidarity.
When I reached there, it was already dark and the project was at its fag end with last of some 10-15 artists wrapping up their work. There were many like me who had come to cheer these enthusiasts some of whom complained of not getting sufficient raw material or a proper piece of wall.
But they carried on….. with whatever was available to them. Some of the paintings had already started losing colour but not the spirit.
What was more lost in my view was the full commitment from the authorities.
The pavements were already littered. The only container for trash (near Matunga station) was overflowing, the 2 portable toilets were stinking and the homeless people…. bemused homeless people, walls of whose homes were flamboyantly decorated now, were all waiting to sleep there. Some were already asleep.
This was one such family with four kids.
The wall was broken at many places and one could see weeds and small bushes coming out of it. I have never been to this place before so am not sure if this was after cleaning of the area. I was expecting a clean, unbroken 2 Km long wall, fully painted with people’s dreams and messages.
Was BMC short of funds to repair this wall and clean up nicely ? Or was it in a hurry to give it on Independence day ? When it was providing all raw material wasn’t it responsible for providing a clean canvas as well ? Will all efforts and hard work of these selfless enthusiasts be covered with urine and spits again ?
I have no answer.
But when I visit it next time, optimist that I am, I would want to see that 2 Km stretch beaming with joy and hope. Blooming flowers at the edge of a well maintained pavement, with trash cans at regular intervals, converted into a promenade and a 2 Km long message board. A place where people would go for riots of smiles and laughs, for inspirations and expressions…. without caring a damn and with lots of love & care.
I can very much visualize it.
Note:- Don’t forget to see some more very interesting and inspiring photos here.
Current Song:- Hum Jo Chalne lage - Shaan
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Tags : Celebrations, Cities, India, India Shining, Mumbai
rocksea said,
August 19, 2009 @ 10:39 am
hmm.. confused on whether to enjoy on the painting efforts or to be sad on the plight of the children. may be both! hopefully there will be enthusiasts to help out the children too
Sharad said,
August 19, 2009 @ 11:30 am
umm the great wall of Mumbai..
nice to see some people taking it up… we Indian have this uncanny habit of urinating in open and on walls. Indian people really enjoy it.
Similar project has been done before but not to stop urinating people, but to provide a painting space to talented underprivileged kids and children,and to spread awareness and messages about various topics as Water conversation.
I appreciate BMC providing the stuffs, and I feel its not just the muncipalities but individual responsibilties too. to stop urinatin in walls and in open.
But when there is a lack of public toilets and one has to do what one has to do, open spaces and walls seems to be the preferred choice.
I remember my college days.. whn urinating in open we use to call it as “Jhado ko paani dena”.
Alex said,
August 19, 2009 @ 2:36 pm
Great pictures Cuckoo and a really nice initiative by the BMC.
I traveled by road to office today, just to have a look at the painted side of the wall.
Regarding the plight of the wall, I am sure you will find out why it is broken if you travel by train between Dadar and Mahim. From the train, you will see the other side of the wall.
P.S: I already saw one person spitting and another peeing on this wall this morning.
Screenage Scribbler said,
August 19, 2009 @ 5:34 pm
Thank for bringing this pictures here.. I loved them all ! And missed being in Mumbai then
naween said,
August 19, 2009 @ 11:21 pm
amazing!
Surendra Chaurasiya said,
August 20, 2009 @ 5:46 pm
Hey! This one was indeed a great event, I was there to cover it deep with my camera. All the pictures are up for everyone to review in my photoblog in case you would like to leave responses… Cheers!!!
Cuckoo said,
August 21, 2009 @ 12:49 am
Rocksea,
I too hope so !
Sharad,
lol…
Yes, it’s responsibility of both. It’ll be highly appreciated if besides providing paints/brushes, BMC provides clean toilets as well.
Cuckoo said,
August 21, 2009 @ 12:53 am
Alex,
No, I don’t know why it is broken and why it can not be repaired. Enlighten me.
I’ll try to remember to look at that side when I go next time.
Screenage,
You can see here.
Cuckoo said,
August 21, 2009 @ 1:07 am
Naween,
Amazing ? What ?
Surendra,
Welcome here.
Your pictures are amazing. I have linked it to Blogbharti right away.
Abhinav said,
August 21, 2009 @ 3:33 pm
Awesome spirit and amazing fotos. This just proves no matter where we are there are certain days we feel one and act like ONE for a change. however lookin at homeless people makes me sad. But am sure things would improve back home sooner or later.
Tarun said,
August 22, 2009 @ 1:02 am
Loved every bit of it.
I wonder if I could ever sketch paint or draw.
Never could honestly speaking
But I think it is simply an amzing iea and who ever came out to paint deserve more than a pat on the back.
Earth un-Earth was the wittiest of the lot.