Time to stop the habit of spitting in India

t is pretty awful that a country like India that is growing to be a world superpower falls apart trying to stop its people from spitting. “The Great Indian Spit” is indeed an embarrassing scenario in our country. Though the government is waking from its slumber in terms of hygiene and sanitation with its Clean India effort, a mission primarily focused to fight open defecation and keeping public places cleaner, there has been no change in the number of people who spit in public.

India is also soaring up in the tourism sector with its diverse geographical terrain. But this disgusting habit will surely bring down the revenue from the tourism sector, as nobody will want to sightsee with people spitting on the lanes!

I personally feel that the current fine for spitting in public, which is Rs250 (Dh13.76), though not well enforced, is too low to stop a habit like this. The amount of the fine should be increased and implemented rather seriously. Considering the various communicable diseases that India is striving to combat, continuing this nasty habit will do no good.

Also, the government has to reconsider the easy availability of paan (betel leaf) and other hazardous materials with stricter laws since it not only causes people to spit, but is also unhealthy and harmful. Lastly, being Indian citizens, we must be more conscious of our country’s surroundings to preserve its beauty. After all, don’t we all crave for a better India, at least for our future generations?