When was the last time we went out for recreation? Every time we step out, we have a fear. The pandemic is not over, we are still fighting a disease. We need to build on our health, but how do we? As a Mumbaikar, living in the city, we feel thirsty for solutions. Our children are house arrested, our senior citizen parents are home locked. 

The Area – Mumbai 3 is a travesty of narrow paths, closed buildings, overhanging wires. Over the years, Mumbadevi Constitution Authorities and BMC officials haven’t bothered developing anything in this area. There are zero community parks or open spaces which are safe for the children or senior citizens. They are all developed from the old times. Nothing has changed over the years of voting. No authority has shown a willingness to do any better for these residents.

Speaking to a resident of this area, who also is a Social Media Mom influencer & blogger, we realised the gravity of the situation. Ayesha Ladha says, “I live in an area where there is no jogging track, playground, park or garden which is maintained and accessible. The parks that we have are in a poor and unsafe condition.

My heart aches to see my child using screen time all the day. I feel bad when my in-laws can’t go for a small walk because the lanes and streets over here are full of congestion and traffic jams. I fear for their health.” 

“Why do I need to take my child to Breach Candy Gardens or Cuffe Parade? Why do I need to travel far, when Mumbai 3 and Mumbai 9 could easily be redeveloped and made citizen friendly?”

“What is the responsibility of MLA ‘s and MP’s?  Why can’t they see that the ‘bhaigiri’ is affecting us. My child can’t even go down and cycle in the lane as the streets are illegally encroached by shopkeepers and hawkers. I can’t even park my own vehicle as the streets belong to the gangs who facilitate illegal encroachment of roads.”

A senior citizen needs to go on a walk to get out of the house maintain their physical and mental health. It gives them a sense of community, it helps them have interactions. Similarly, kids need to play outside, they need to have outdoor activities to facilitate their mental and physical well-being.

Ayesha wants to say further that as a citizen she feels cheated. Wouldn’t she want to know why she should vote? Why should anyone vote? Does our vote matter? Do any of the BMC authorities or those in power ever realise or feel that it is important to give back to the community that selects you? Why ask for a vote every time election season comes? 

How is it that giving them power makes us powerless? Why is this stripping us of power? An elected candidate is meant to empower the citizens, here we are all grasping for some free space to live. I wonder why we vote? All our vote goes in vain. Why should MP, MLA’S and Local Corporators be heard when they come for votes in the next elections? When they can’t hear us gasping for solutions to go out and be on the roads?

If you are resident of Mumbadevi or Colaba Constitution and agree that we need open spaces, development, amenities, and then come forward. Let’s make our vote count. Let’s be heard. Let us get those powers to hear us and make us matter. Let’s make noise for parks, development and basic amenities.

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