About Us
We are a group of Ugly Indians (the number is growing everyday) who feel strongly about the state of visible filth in our cities.
Our philosophy can be described simply as: Kaam chalu mooh bandh. Stop Talking, Start Doing.
We believe in direct action, with a common-sense problem-solving approach. We do not finger-point or blame the system. We aim to make a change from within - one that sustains because everyone wants it and is comfortable with it.
We believe that there is no magic wand, or silver bullet, to solve India's civic problems. We are realists, and accept that many of India's problems are hard to solve even if the government and public work closely together and money was freely available.
Of our many civic problems, we view the problem of visible filth on our streets as a behaviour and attitude problem that can be solved in our lifetime (or rather, this month). This can be achieved without spending money or changing legislation or systems. It requires coming up with smart ideas to change people's rooted cultural behaviour and attitudes. And making sure those ideas work.
Some of our guidelines are:
1. No lectures, no moralising, no activism, no self-righteous anger.
2. No confrontation, no arguments, no debates, no pamphlets, no advocacy.
3. Don’t step on anyone’s toes, don’t take sides in any ideological debates.,
4. Support existing systems and improve their effectiveness for the greater
good.
5. Basically, get real. Treat everyone with sincerity, respect and dignity first,
and the greater good will be an outcome.
2. No confrontation, no arguments, no debates, no pamphlets, no advocacy.
3. Don’t step on anyone’s toes, don’t take sides in any ideological debates.,
4. Support existing systems and improve their effectiveness for the greater
good.
5. Basically, get real. Treat everyone with sincerity, respect and dignity first,
and the greater good will be an outcome.
We feel a 'solution' is a real solution only if:
1. It sustains in the public street for at least 90 days.
2. With no supervision.
3. Is low-cost (ideally free) and easy to implement and replicate
4. Changes the behaviour and attitudes of all concerned
5. Creates minimal change in the daily actions of everyone concerned
(nobody should lose a job, lose a source of income, or get seriously
inconvenienced – because it takes only one Ugly Indian to undo the
good work of a hundred others).
2. With no supervision.
3. Is low-cost (ideally free) and easy to implement and replicate
4. Changes the behaviour and attitudes of all concerned
5. Creates minimal change in the daily actions of everyone concerned
(nobody should lose a job, lose a source of income, or get seriously
inconvenienced – because it takes only one Ugly Indian to undo the
good work of a hundred others).
If you think like us, and want to achieve something meaningful in your immediate surroundings, write to theuglyindian@gmail.com.
We have chosen to remain anonymous as the names and identities of specific individuals are not important. What matters is visible results. And any visible result in the public space needs the support of hundreds of actors (the ‘community’). One Ugly Indian in each community can, and must, take the first step - but unless the community responds positively, that step will not produce results.
This project is as much about carrying the community along (or as is fashionable to say –‘being ‘inclusive’) as about coming up with smart ideas that assist the process of change.
Write to us if you want to know more, or be a part of this.
