I love reading books, all kinds of them. And the Kolkata Book Fair in the last week of January and the first week of February is probably one of those events that we Kolkatabashis look forward to; most eagerly waiting for the event of the year. An event that is more of a festival for book lovers from and around Kolkata than merely a fair.
It is traditionally held at the Kolkata Maidan, but now there is a problem. The so-called and self-proclaimed environmentalists have somehow reached the conclusion that holding a fair, a book fair at that degrades the environment around the Maidan, the heart of Kolkata.
Numerous frivolous Public Interest Litigations (PILs), further burdening our already overburdened justice delivery system, are raging in the Kolkata High Court, some seeking permission and no objection from the High Court and some others seeking a preventive order. The Kolkata High Court itself has decided that is has minimum locus standi in this regard, whereas the Indian Army, being the caretaker of the Maidan, will have to decide whether to allow the fair or not on the grounds. The extent of jurisdiction, as of now, of the Kolkata High Court is to check and minimize pollution.
Since the passing of this order, other PILs have been lodged alleging that the Book Fair, if held at Maidan will lead to various kinds of pollution in the very heart of the city. I agree. And totally so.
The same proponents, however, are willing to let the fair to be held some other place. Just like saying, let the gangrene set in the foot but please spare the heart.
The solution to the problem does not lie in relocating the fair, but in controlling the extent of pollution. Adequate safety measures and consciousness about pollution among the visitors is probably one very good way to control pollution. Come to think of it, such a solution can work wonders for a major metropolitan anywhere in the world. People should be conscious about their immediate environment, pollution and what harm is brought upon environment everyday by us. The picture of future will definitely not be a rosy one. People need to be educated in terms of being able to minimize pollution of all kinds.
Obviously, the role of the State and Central Governments in this regard is very significant. They must play a major role in educating the citizens and providing the right infrastructural support so as to actually achieve the goal of having a much greener city.
O and please involve those people who lodge those PILs. They love the environment and would love to do some 200 hours community service.
But the Governments should also take note of this situation. There is no place in Kolkata where a major fair can be held. Many fairs are held at Netaji Indoor Stadium, but they are usually of a much smaller scale. A new stadium or fair complex needs to be developed not far from the heart of the city (which is most easily accessible from all parts of the city), for the sole use of fairs. Till then control pollution, but let’s go to Maidan for the Book Fair 2007.
It is traditionally held at the Kolkata Maidan, but now there is a problem. The so-called and self-proclaimed environmentalists have somehow reached the conclusion that holding a fair, a book fair at that degrades the environment around the Maidan, the heart of Kolkata.
Numerous frivolous Public Interest Litigations (PILs), further burdening our already overburdened justice delivery system, are raging in the Kolkata High Court, some seeking permission and no objection from the High Court and some others seeking a preventive order. The Kolkata High Court itself has decided that is has minimum locus standi in this regard, whereas the Indian Army, being the caretaker of the Maidan, will have to decide whether to allow the fair or not on the grounds. The extent of jurisdiction, as of now, of the Kolkata High Court is to check and minimize pollution.
Since the passing of this order, other PILs have been lodged alleging that the Book Fair, if held at Maidan will lead to various kinds of pollution in the very heart of the city. I agree. And totally so.
The same proponents, however, are willing to let the fair to be held some other place. Just like saying, let the gangrene set in the foot but please spare the heart.
The solution to the problem does not lie in relocating the fair, but in controlling the extent of pollution. Adequate safety measures and consciousness about pollution among the visitors is probably one very good way to control pollution. Come to think of it, such a solution can work wonders for a major metropolitan anywhere in the world. People should be conscious about their immediate environment, pollution and what harm is brought upon environment everyday by us. The picture of future will definitely not be a rosy one. People need to be educated in terms of being able to minimize pollution of all kinds.
Obviously, the role of the State and Central Governments in this regard is very significant. They must play a major role in educating the citizens and providing the right infrastructural support so as to actually achieve the goal of having a much greener city.
O and please involve those people who lodge those PILs. They love the environment and would love to do some 200 hours community service.
But the Governments should also take note of this situation. There is no place in Kolkata where a major fair can be held. Many fairs are held at Netaji Indoor Stadium, but they are usually of a much smaller scale. A new stadium or fair complex needs to be developed not far from the heart of the city (which is most easily accessible from all parts of the city), for the sole use of fairs. Till then control pollution, but let’s go to Maidan for the Book Fair 2007.
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