Wanted: Better roads, lakes, Unwanted: Potholes, floods

Bengaluru: While many of us were relaxing on a Sunday morning at home, hundreds of people from different walks of life thronged Freedom Park to cast their beku (want) and beda (do not want) votes at the Beku-Beda Santhe organised by citizen activists.

The event is to mark the anniversary of ‘Steel Flyover Beda’ movement, which was spearheaded by various citizens' groups, NGOs, RWAs, experts and social activists. The citizens cast their votes about what they want in their area or city and what they do not want.

With city's fragile infrastructure miserably exposed during heavy rains with issues ranging from pothole ridden roads and traffic gridlocks to poor public transport, the citizens and children enthusiastically casted their votes. Some children even took drew paintings and organised skits.

Ask Adithya, who is studying 6th standard at NHVPS, Raja Rajeshwari Nagar, on what he wants and this is what he said, “Lakes in the city are polluted. While government asks us to use eco-friendly Ganeshas, why aren't they bothered to clean up the lakes? I want lakes to be cleaned up soon.”

Shravya, who is in her 5th standard at a private school, said she needs bicycle. “I registered my beku vote for bicycles and beda vote for cars. If I want to travel to school in bicycle I want safe roads.”