The I-Fix Initiative
When was the last time you sat around discussing how things were never fixed? When was the last time when you wished the government did something.
Well, while we can sit around all we like, there’s also something else we can do – fix things that we can!
I came across this online and thought it was pretty amazing. A few friends have gotten together in Chennai and are now running the The Chennai I-Fix Initiative. And I am sure they will be all but ready to share their knowledge as to how to go about fixing potholes.
We definitely need a few Bangaloreans to get onto this. God knows, that after the recent rains, there will be many potholes that need fixing! Interestingly, anyone can take the lead and start it off.
So is anyone game?
Anita,
Would be glad to share anything that is required to get the bangaloreans started on this. Just let me know.
Vijay
I Fixer, Chennai.
Hi,
last week end i was in blore and i am really worried about blore getting worse and worse and not suitable for living anymore.
you guys should get together and do something in a very high scale. no other go!
Shiva
Chennai
Hi anita
we came across vijay and team thanx to marthupandi @ chennaiist.com.These guys are out of the world. i had the first hand experience -they were out in the night till about 3 a.m in the morning- many a time working when it was drizzling-even raining. sheer pride made me stick it out. If we can replicate this in other metros -believe me we have the beginnings of a great grassroot level revolution.The seeds are there, the scope is there- sheer bad execution or lack of will alone can destroy something as beautiful and pristine as this.Go start the fire today.
Some of the comments from my friends and kin
“To resolve to do it, to do it, to support it and to sponsor it- each one requires true guts.
Kudos to the spirit. Let the word spread around”
by Sridhar.Ramasubbu@wipro.com
“Civic pride and civic duty among its citizens distinguish great communities/societies from those which disappear. Fixing our world one pothole at a time is a greater accomplishment than just being fashionably cynical. If you care about something DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT….”
Wish ifix great success ..
Venky, Sj,Ca USA
rvenky@yahoo.com
Good to see this initiative spreading around. I was part of the most recent drive and it was awesome, trust me. I never knew fixing potholes could be Fun.
Karthik.H
i-fixer, Chennai
Anita,
Thank you for this useful post. Can you please tell us what we have to do? Are you starting an organization of some kind? If so, how can, we help? Please post details.
Count me in! :)
Comunity initiative to fix potholes in the rain-battered city is a good idea. Recent heavy rains seriously dislocated and paralysed public life due to inundation in many areas. Fixing potholes may provide temporary relief. One heavy rain is enough to leave the roads in much the same position as it was before the fixing was done.
Cars were seen almost three-fouths drowned in cellars and parking bays in many apartments. The main reason for unprecedented inundation of not only low-lying but also areas at higher elevation is construction illlegal structures on drains. The Mahanagara Palike is demolishing such structures now.
Civic groups should bring pressure on the Palike for severe action against officials who gave permission for such illegal structures on drains.
Suspensions or transfers of errant officials does not solve the proble. They bounce back. If officials concerned for such illegal permissions are summarily removed from service, it would act as a deterrent. Govt job is not a semi-retirement luxuary.
Fixing potholes or undertaking repairs etc would serve only as a short-term measure. Tax-paying residents have a right to demand better civic facilities like good roads, streetlights, water supply, clean environs, city transport etc.
Young people who are taking and showing initiatives like the one cited above in this blog should take a more proactive role on highlighting the civic issues to the notice of the authorities, even repeatedly through media and other channels, and pursue till their goals are achieved. Patience and perseverance pays. Good luck.
thanks vijay! will get in touch with you for the details.
@ shiva: that was the purpose of the post :)
@ ram: thanks! we need to find a few people here in bangalore to take on the initiative!
@ karthik: :)
@ george: let me figure out what needs to be done. am trying to find one or two people who can take the initiative to start it off! will keep you posted on the details.
@ ravi: great! let me find out what needs to be done and i”ll be in touch.
@ pisipati: there might be bigger issues to be solved, but let’s start where we can make a difference is my take.
What’s news on this? How about u take the initiative…
anonymous: that’s exactly what i’m doing. can’t exactly bank on anonymous people :)
Lately, Bangalore is getting inspired a lot of Chennai initiatives.RTFF, and now i-fix ;-)
Just kidding. Count me in!