Youth seen picking garbage at Boat Basin

I happened to stop at Boat Basin today evening for about 10 mins as my driver needed to collect mom’s dresses from the dry cleaner. While I sat in the car waiting for the driver to collect the clothes, I noticed a group of youngsters, aged between 17 to 20, collecting garbage from outside the shops.

These smartly dressed youngsters had black garbage bags in their hands and were wearing green masks to cover their mouths and gloves to cover their hands. I looked around to see how many they were and they were spread out in groups of 5 to 6 and in total, they would probably reach 20. I thought to myself that this was the type of youth we need to progress and handle the minor issues we face, throwing rubbish on the streets being one of them. But as I continued to be impressed by these kids, a thought flashed across my mind.

Have people started following them too? Have the audience/spectators started assisting them too? Have the people of Pakistan changed? Are we finally, all, being the change we want to see in the world? And there I got my answer! Obviously NOT! The most prominent spectators of this garbage picking noble cause were the waiters of the eateries (Chips Fast Food, Mr. Burger, Chick and Chips, Nihari Inn etc etc..).

These waiters, who probably are responsible for doing what these kids were doing on a daily basis, were standing in groups ridiculing these kids and pointing out where all the garbage was. I mean,** hello?**, you could pick it up if you see it, rather than considering this youth activity as Entertainment!

Sigh! We really aren’t going to change so soon. I include myself in this statement as i too did not get out of my car and give them a helping hand.

Thinking out loud, if similar activities start taking place at different parts of the city, outside our houses, on the streets, in public parks, in the regularly visited spots, maybe then we will be able to bring out the change. If there are a number of people starting a tradition, it is bound to leave some impact. *i think*/*i hope*

Anyways, All in All, I give these youngsters a standing ovation for owning Karachi!