RWA-R stands for RESIDENT & RESPONSIBILITY ?!!

VIJAY K. SALUJA

However efficient & selfless workers, the office bearers of RWAs are, they will not be able to fill the gap, unless, the residents put their best [honest] foot forward in helping them do so??!! Some may say, what am I talking about. Others may ask, what do they want from them, when they have appointed them the office bearers & also contribute maintenance charges [there are many, who shirk contributing, that, too!]

Well, I will discuss, why it is very imperative for each one of the resident to contribute his or her mite, in case society premises/markets, in which they live/trade-in, have to be properly maintained, on a sustainable basis. As the things stand, it is observed with anguish & concern that most of the residents/traders do not relate themselves to the activities of the RWA/TWA?
Why? They have no time?! There is too much politicking, some crib. They have many other chores to do-attending to children, old parents, girl [boy] friends, cars, pet dogs [who shit in the common areas] going to Gym, parlours, PVR, clubs, have to socialize to network, to surf, to chat , go to kitty parties, do other social work [as if RWA/TWA- activity, is anti-social work], rest at home, watch TV/ DVD`s, listen to newly acquired MP3, or stare at the ceiling etc etc! .Lists of chores, are endless.

But, if you have all these things to do, don`t office bearers have their personal tasks, too, to attend. If they devote time & energy on various [now] almost thankless tasks of RWA/TWA, then why grudge them some little benefits, if they try to derive[not that they should], one may ask. Why don’t you, the `aam` resident, come forward & loose the `tag` of aam & become special, by participating in RWA/TWA activities?
It is very easy to criticize & spend hours doing so, on the benches of local parks, in kitty parties or at homes, & pontificating, but, it is another matter, playing pro active & positive role [that too for your own benefit]
Let us see, how residents/traders can play their parts, in supplementing the efforts of RWA`s/TWA`s office bearers -a few suggestions

First thing which is imperative is-Stop criticizing the efforts of office bearers of RWA/TWA or Authorities.You never know under what constraint ,they could be working,too.

Second –applaud their efforts & use your network, in removing the bottlenecks[office bearers may be facing] of particular society, in which you live.-

Active, healthy senior citizens or housewives can help the school- children of their locality, in crossing busy roads, on which their school buses come, at going time & arriving time. I have observed this practice in UK & many European cities. They put on a Traffic Warden `overall`, given by the Traffic Police., during that period. They can as well co-ordinate with the traffic-authorities. I can try to get this organized with the Traffic Police, if there are willing residents. This will be BHAGIDARI, in real sense.

Talented –skilled, residents-which there are many, can organize skill development classes in the community centers of their sectors/societies. Social Welfare Deptt of Delhi Govt may also then render help..
Retired networked, civil, electrical, mechanical engineers, horticulturists, in particular, can help the authorities, in plugging water leakage/wastage, proper laying of road surfaces & their maintenance, efficient sanitation, upkeep of parks, drainage & sewerage systems, pillar boxes of electricity & telephone lines, getting information from the authorities about other facilities viz lifts, laying of utilities, conservation of trees & parks
etc etc.

Last but not least-Love your locality/society & nurture it like a child?! Why allow unauthorized construction, next door? Check it yourself. Seek the help of RWA/TWA etc etc.

Walk a disciplined dog[not shitting everywhere]!??

Bring a sense of discipline/order in the well-planned markets Presently,these are in very big mess-encroachments in corridors,parking lots,circulation spaces etc etc!!?

There are endless tasks, in a locality/markets & role for everyone & not for only the office bearers.

I am reminded of John F.Kennedy`s line –Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country`.
In a similar way, allow me to say `ASK NOT WHAT RWA,TWA OR AUTHORITIES, CAN DO FOR U, TELL THEM, WHAT U CAN DO FOR , YOUR LOCALITY & AUTHORITIES & THEN DO IT. `
If we try to follow a little, in spirit of, what little[though,there are many other points] I have said in these lines , I have no doubt, we can make USA or Singapore[ talking of their better managed localities, with no graffiti] out of our Dwarka/ Delhi.! What are we, the residents of Dwarka/DELHI, waiting for?

The writer is an Ex Chief Engineer[civil] , New Delhi Municipal Council