Gurgaon: Many painting the town red, some wiping the stains off

GURGAON: Fed up of the widespread practice of spitting tobacco or betel in public areas without any deterrent, a group of five took matters into their own hands on Friday.
Led by behavioural change expert Odette Katrak, the group launched the 'StopIndiaSpitting' campaign from Vyapar Kendra Market in the city. Katrak said they chose the market to launch the drive because it was proof of how public places, even this bustling commercial hub, were tainted by this unhygienic practice.
The campaigner said she began this initiative during the pandemic. At a time when people were being told about the spread of the airborne virus, Katrak said, she saw a man spit tobacco outside her house window while she was washing her hands.
"It struck me that spitting wasn't being addressed in govt's preventive measures. That same day, I launched a petition through Beautiful Bharat (community group), urging that spitting be made punishable to help curb the spread of the virus. The petition quickly went viral, and by April 15, 2020, spitting became punishable by law," she said.
The behavioural change expert was referring to the provision introduced under Disaster Management Act, which made spitting in public areas punishable by law.
Until then, there was no countrywide law to do the same, though many states and municipal corporations have similar rules.
The group members said their mission is two-fold - educate those who chew tobacco or betel about possible health risks and urge them to stop, and encourage others to ask those spitting in public areas not to do so.
On Friday, Katrak said the group installed 10-15 signboards at the market and plan to add more.
Juhi Saxena, who was part of the group and member of Zero Waste Gurgaon, said: "Through collaborative efforts, we can drive meaningful change and foster a healthier, more sustainable environment for future generations."
No fines, ever
Though spitting is outlawed, the city's corporation has never issued a fine to anyone for the practice.
Asked why the civic body ignored the problem, an MCG official said: "We mostly challan offenders for throwing garbage, construction waste, etc. We have not issued any challan for spitting in public areas. There is a Rs 500 challan for that, but we have not done it."