Pothole cleaning drive
Vijay and a couple of his friends have taken an initiative to clean the potholes in the roads of Chennai today night, as a part of Independence celebration. They have planned it out and have access to tar, cement etc.
Yes! Fixing roads in the night on the eve of independence day is not exactly the best way to spend a free evening for most of us, but have you, in your three piece mind, ever thought of the “by the people” part of a democracy? We always complain about the ‘of the people and for the people’. Unless and until we contribute to the democracy, we can’t expect it to work.
I think I will take part in this. Vijay has put up a makeshift site, where you can register if you wanna help out and fix some roads. But if you still aren’t convinced and feel fixing roads are below your dignity, then at least do help out by filling in the database with info on potholes in the city and landmarks near them.
You could also help out, by spreading the word. Vijay can be contacted at 9894101363
Read this: Are we independent?
that’s bloody brilliant. I spent my last days in Chennai in T. Nagar and I wished I could clean up the roads during the night. It desperately needs sprucing up. Maybe you guys could consider that as well : )
Anant Shiva
August 14, 2007
Do you plan to keep this initiative going for a while? I’ll be back in Dec., and I wouldn’t mind helping out then. Also, August 22nd is the 368th Madras Day, don’t forget. It’s a 2x gift, both to city and country.
Navaneethan Santhanam
August 14, 2007
Anant: That could definitely be the next action to take.
Navaneethan: One thing is for sure. Nobody really takes notice of what goes on during independence day or republic day. Patriotism is on a all time high during those two days anyways. Sustainance is key. We are planning to do this atleast once a month, so by December, yep.. it will be going on.. unless we are out of potholes
Vijay
August 14, 2007
Vijay - out of potholes in Chennai? hahaha. Great initiative, though. I hope to help out when I’m back.
Navaneethan Santhanam
August 14, 2007
do let knw how it went…
sathishk
August 14, 2007
damn…reading this only now (11 pm)…wud’ve definitely wanted to help…cha…
Karthik.H
August 14, 2007
Karthik: No frets! We want to do this on a regular basis. Jot down all the pot holes you are aware of. Once we reach a sizable amount, the next campaign will be launched to get out and fix them. Do add your name to the list.
Vijay
August 15, 2007
This is definitely noble when compared to sitting at home and watching Namitha wish the city a “Happy” Independence !
Ramya
August 15, 2007
Dang.
would’ve defi come if not for parents going, “You’re a girl. You can’t go do random things with random people at this time of the night.” Bleargh. 
Suraksha
August 15, 2007
[...] First here are a a bunch of true Indians. [...]
Happy 60th Indian Independence Day
August 15, 2007
I’m coming down to India on the first week of September. If this is a regular thing and it coincides with ya plans for the next one, I’m definitely interested. I don’t know if I’ll be in Chennai though, but I hope so!
Anant
August 15, 2007
@Anant:
Sure. During next drive we will defi. take care of that t-nagar patch. And yes it is regular event, so September it might be there.
@Nav:
Yes. you can help out.
@Sathish:
Sure.
@Karthik:
It was night long and we were fixing Manthaveli area, you could have dropped in at even 12.
@Ramya:
Thanks!
@Suraksha:
Do us a favor and stopping adding your name to lists, where you think you can help, but know you can’t.
We need a realistic picture on who are gonna be there to fix roads, not who want to be there.
@Clazh:
Nope. I didn’t do it for India. I am a hacker. I exist without nation/color/religion. I did it for democracy. The idea of democracy is above nation and it certainly could be made to work if we pitch in. And that exactly is what I did.
Sagaro
August 15, 2007
sagaro point taken
Arpit Jacob
August 15, 2007
when, when, WHEN are you going to stop assuming things?
I added my name only AFTER i convinced my parents to let me go the next time pothole fixing happens. so thankyouverymuch for keeping your comments to yourself.
Suraksha
August 15, 2007
@Arpit:
Good good.
@Suraksha:
Breat. (Niniane’s abrv. for Brilliant + Great)
Sagaro
August 16, 2007
Absolutely wonderful initiative.I like the way you guys actually do things .I see that you have put up a temporary site ,incase you decide to movie to full fledged one then i would love to have you hosted for free .I have my hosting at MediaTemple and i can host 100 sites on grid server .I would be more than happy to accomodate this project . so in a case you decide to move in to a full fledged project then do remember me
taggy
August 18, 2007
@Taggy:
The initiative is important, not the website. Pbwiki is not a great platform to work with, but it is good enough to do such small events.
Neways thanks for offering.
Will let you know in future…
Sagaro
August 18, 2007
[...] 15, 2007 by jayan It all started when I saw Sagaro’s blog entry on a pothole filling drive on our roads on independence day eve. Added my name in the wiki, and [...]
The i-day happenings « Jayan’s weblog
December 6, 2007