Trio call on volunteers to help clean up city streets during Thaipusam

THREE Johoreans want to make a difference this Thaipusam by starting a clean-up effort as they follow the chariot procession from the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Jalan Tun H.S. Lee to Batu Caves in Selayang.

C. Manivanan said every year, the city’s streets would be littered with food, drink packets and plastic bags which were thrown by devotees as they participated in the walk which begins at midnight, ending at 2pm on Thaipusam day.

“As we celebrate Thaipusam in reverence of Lord Murugan, it is also our duty as Malaysians to keep our capital city clean,” said the school teacher from SJK (T) Jalan Haji Manan Kluang, Johor.“It is not the devotees fault as many of them who participate in the procession are mostly fasting.

“But some of the participants are not fasting and accept food and drinks from companies and by-standing devotees who are fulfilling their vow.“Even those who are fasting get food thrust into their hands.“These devotees, who line the side of the road have taken vows to offer food and drinks to those participating in the procession and their intention is understandable but unfortunately, the food offering often ends up on the streets,” said Manivanan who has participated in the walk to Batu Caves for the past 20 years.

He observed that devotees who accepted food or drinks had no place to discard the plastic containers and bags, mineral water bottles, paper containers and polystyrene packets, so most of them would throw them on the road.“There is such a huge crowd following the procession so it is impossible to look around for a dustbin to discard rubbish, food packets or containers so these are just thrown on the road,” he said.

Last year, Manivanan decided to carry a bag and started picking up after devotees as they walked the arduous walk but in doing so, he was ridiculed.“Some people said I was picking up the rubbish for recycling purposes but how can you recycle wasted food?“The irony is that people handing out the food are doing so as a form of devotion but that food that is purportedly an offering to God, goes to waste.

“We cannot stop people from handing out food but we are asking help from devotees to join us is doing a service to God by cleaning up the streets of Kuala Lumpur,” he said.His friend Kluang Hospital medical assistant S. Sandra said because it was a religious event, devotees should play a role in keeping the streets clean.“We hope religious associations, youth groups and even individuals will lend us a hand because cleaning up after a crowd of more than 100,000 people is not an easy task,” he said.

Manivanan, Sandra and SMK Canossian Convent teacher M. Gheetaletchumi will don T-shirts bearing the message ‘Hindu Sevai — For A Clean & Blessed Thaipusam’ and will do their part to clean up the streets of Kuala Lumpur.Those interested to help the trio, can call 013-716 4257 (Manivanan).

Source : http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/1/11/central/7765173&sec=central