Till about a month ago, an empty plot in Seegehalli, near KR Puram in Bengaluru, used to be an unofficial dump yard.
Other than serving as a breeding ground for mosquitoes, the plot was allegedly being used by the BBMP to dump medical waste for the past four years. This was not only putting the health of residents at risk, but was also hurting the environment.
Towards the end of October however, the plot was given a makeover and now functions as a dedicated court for kabbadi.
Anvaya Foundation, a collective of like-minded citizens of the area comprising of mostly IT professionals, worked to bring about a change after their pleas to authorities fell on deaf ears.
The group started work on 15 October and within 10 days they cleared the land of all the garbage with the help of local apartment dwellers.
On 28 October, the revamped ground was inaugurated and a kabbadi tournament was organised to mark their success. Teams from Mandya, Mysuru and even neighbouring Tamil Nadu were part of the 45 teams – with over 500 players – that took part in the event.
The icing on the cake was that one of the two local teams from Seegehalli won the tournament.
(This article was originally published in The News Minute)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)