During the last two months, I visited the town of my birth Mandvi, Bhuj and Bhachau in Kutch. Visiting these towns was an experience of mixed emotions. The indelible spirit of our land is as strong as ever, but the physical beauty of our towns is fading under a layer of neglect.
Let’s speak plainly. The internal roads in these towns are in a deplorable state. They are not just in need of repair; they require a complete overhaul. Driving has become a hazardous and frustrating experience that tests the patience of every resident.
An even deeper malaise has settled in our streets: a pervasive lack of cleanliness. The unchecked wandering of cattle has turned public spaces into potential breeding grounds for disease. The sacred soil of our homeland is being desecrated by indifference.
The Kutchi people are stoic, shaped by a landscape that demands fortitude. We have learned to live with less, to find joy in simplicity. But we must not confuse resilience with resignation. The challenges we face from nature are one thing; the challenges born of human inaction are another entirely.
The true measure of progress isn’t just economic growth; it’s the tangible improvement in our daily lives. Yet, we face a stark contradiction: while individual prosperity may be on the rise, our shared public spaces are in a state of alarming decline. This is not a matter of fate; it’s a failure of focus. This decay can and must be reversed with clear intention and decisive, unwavering action.
This is a heartfelt appeal to those in power and to the community at large. Let us channel our famous Kutchi resilience into a demand for change. Let’s work to polish this jewel of Gujarat until it shines once more. Our towns are not just coordinates on a map; they are living, breathing entities that are, at present, struggling to thrive. Let’s help them breathe again.
-Sanjay Shah
SME Business Coach