The doctors have started an anti-spitting campaign, which aims to educate and sensitise Thanekars about the ill-effects of spitting in public.
Doctors from Thane have taken it upon themselves to instil civic sense into Thanekars. They aim to start the drive after the completion of general elections in the state. The doctors have started an anti-spitting campaign, which aims to educate and sensitise Thanekars about the ill-effects of spitting in public.
Nearly a month ago, Dr Manish Sachdev, a diabetologist and asthma consultant from Thane, decided to do his bit for the society. "In my career, I have seen many TB patients and the disease spreads through spitting. Therefore, I decided to make our society spit-free," says Sachdev, who stays at Hiranandani Meadows in Thane. "I also realized that rickshaw drivers spit more and are also amenable to suggestions," he added.
Sachdev then contacted Dr Mahesh Bedekar, who is a renowned activist from Thane and has managed to bring down noise pollution levels during festivals and has introduced silent zones in the city with his PIL (public interest litigation). "He not only helped me print stickers to be pasted on rickshaws but also helped me meet bureaucrats, who agreed to help the cause," the diabetologist added.
Sachdev had saved a sum of Rs 2 lakh for the drive and the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) came to his rescue. " The TMC agreed to help me financially while I lead the Thukna mana hai campaign," he said. "My wife is with me in this campaign and even Dr Bedekar is supporting us," he added.
Dr Bedekar, who runs Bedekar hospital has already involved his staff of 100 members to distribute stickers among rickshaw drivers. "Even my staff have taken the oath that they will not spit or allow others to spit in public places," Bedekar said.
The campaign will be flagged off on May 4 in Thane at Dr Kashinath Ghanekar auditorium. "Over 1,200 rickshaw drivers will take the oath of not spitting in public places. Moreover, we will form teams and go to rickshaw stands every week to educate and sensitise them against spitting," Dr Sachdev said. "Anybody else who wants to conduct similar drives in their cities are welcome. We will provide them with necessary support," he added.
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