Anil Shetty is an Indian political leader, entrepreneur, author, activist and motivational speaker who is responsible for the city now being banner and hoarding free. The ugly banners of various political parties that were posted across the city has now disappeared, thanks to the efforts taken by Anil and his team. His campaign “Flex Politics Beda” aims to rid the city off these banners and restore the beauty this city was once known for.
Growing up, Anil had only two dreams; to make his mom happy and also to serve his motherland. Anil adds, “Once I finished making my mom happy, I wanted to join that military but that didn’t happen. Therefore I decided to fight against the enemies inside the country.” Anil feels that these banners that are put cause political pollution rather than visual and environment pollution. “These flex banners have local goons who tag themselves as social workers. They hide behind well known faces and slowly climb the ladder of politics,” adds Anil who feels that the word social worker is the most abused word in the city. The flex politics beda campaign as been around for over a year now. Anil adds, “ We started off by giving complaints which had no results. We then went with the BBMP and took the banners down. But when this too didn’t work, black ink was sprayed on the banner and it was termed ‘illegal’. Over 150 complaints were then sent by various member from my team.” Doing something unique with this campaign, Anil also awarded Rs 50 for anyone who removed these banners and sent a Whatsapp picture to him. He also went ahead and celebrated the birthday of many politicians as a sign of protest.
On the responses he has gotten so far, Anil an avid solo-traveller and author adds, “The response so far has been phenomenal. Now there are zero banners. I feel that the people who put up these banners have no aesthetic sense. One of the most beautiful bridges in the city, The Windsor Manor Bridge, was on the verge of getting a banner erected there. But they decided against it” Anil feels that these banners are the cheapest means of political publicity. “Political parties understand that visibility either good or bad is necessary. Banners means more visibility,” Anil explains. There is constant tracking being done. If any banner or hoarding is erected, pictures of the same are immediately taken and complaints are registered.
