Meet the woman who mobilised citizens for repair of potholes

Meet the woman who mobilised citizens for repair of potholes
x
Highlights

“It was an impulsive decision that struck a chord with fellow citizens. In a matter of a few hours, several friends and their friends gave their consent for shramdaan,” says GershanBam boat, 64 a resident of Sainikpuri.

Hyderabad: “It was an impulsive decision that struck a chord with fellow citizens. In a matter of a few hours, several friends and their friends gave their consent for shramdaan,” says GershanBam boat, 64 a resident of Sainikpuri.

The Gough Road has always been in the news for the last five years as it is the only road that links Neredmet, Defence Colony, Sainikpuri, Dr A S Rao Nagar, Yapral and beyond.

Tired of hearing about accidents and traffic snarls due to the bad condition of the road, GulshanBamboat took it upon herself. She says, “I just told one of my friends that on Sunday I would be going to fill potholes. If anyone was interested, they could join. To my surprise not one but several gave the thumps up.”

An ardent fan of Gandhian principles the former IDL employee says, “We grew up hearing about several initiatives such as M K Gandhiji’s experiments and of VinobaBhave’sBhoodan movement. Unless people become proactive change will not happen.” She further adds, “Our effort is not to politicize the issue. We just want clean motorable roads and it is our right to have one.”

Gulshan has always been socially active right through her life and has travelled extensively. Socially conscious she is active in the Kapra Lake restoration programme. Along with other like-minded women she also holds an annual sale of bags, books, accessories and electronic goods and the money raised is given to NGOs that work for the needy.

When asked if she would meet the Military Engineering Service (MES) that has to take up the road repair, she says, “We will not meet officials. Our intention is not to blame anyone but if the authorities wake up and repair this road which is a link to hundreds of colonies. We would think we have made a difference.”

Show Full Article
Print Article
Next Story
More Stories
ADVERTISEMENT