Event analysed: Spot Fix of the KR Circle Subway

Background:
KR Circle is located in central Bengaluru and is a part of a tremendous
educational, political, trade and economic hub in the city. There exists a
connection of underpasses which link the roads leading to the circle, which until
recently was unusable because of the presence of urine and its stifling stench on
its floors. It became operational after the involvement of The Ugly Indian.

The Ugly Indian is a movement which focuses on achieving results through

action, rather than words and complaints. (Mooh band, kaam shuru). As a part
of this movement, people take up beautification projects in their localities.
Actions ranging from cleaning up a non-designated garbage dumping area,
cleaning and painting walls and footpath to discourage littering, and spot fix of
whatever seems out of order are taken by the common folk.

Mental Model of the Group Performing the Projects (The Ugly Indian)
A mental model finds its birth in the way an object, being, or phenomenon is
perceived within a conscious mind. It is something beyond a mere translation of
information from the sensory systems instead, its roots lie in how the
information is processed and guides the decision-making or actions of a person.

The Ugly Indian seeks to solve one of Indias hallmark problems in Indian ways
that of cleanliness and hygiene. To understand their mental model, we need to
dwell deeper into an average Indians thinking on this issue.

To an average Indian, what doesnt affect them directly, is not a part of their
problem. But to The Ugly Indian, it is. They have broadened their definition of a
problem to include the aesthetic aspects in a community/neighbourhood
context thus altering their mental model associated with what is termed a
problem and what is not.

Thus, by making these general cleanliness issues their own, they take ownership
of the target areas and work towards fixing what is unfixed.
Features of their mental model could include

A dynamic model which can change its scope to fit in the issue at hand as
a legitimate problem which needs to be solved.
The model dictates that only actions can bring result and thus the focus is
on the work, rather than taking credit.
The contrarian thinking of The Societys problem is my own, and each
step I take to solve these issues, solves The Societys problems.

Criteria of choice and Values assigned could be

Selection of problem 10%

Identifying the course of action 20%
Carrying out the task 50%
Sustenance of the completed task 20%

On the basis of their thinking, they cleaned the urine laden subways of KR Circle
in Bangalore to make it fit for use.

Mental Model of the Public in the Scenario

To understand the mental model of the general public in the context of
discussion, we need to see how our society looks at this problem.

Waste, litter, and dirtiness, inherently, have a negative or unfavourable

connotation attached with them. People dont want to be associated with it, and
thus the Tragedy of Commons comes into play, where this waste gets deposited
in the areas which are common. As a result, the aesthetics of the place goes
down.

People are more than happy to risk their life by crossing the roads, but they
wont do anything to make the subways usable. After all, the subway isnt ones
personal property to be looked after and taken care of.
Features of their metal model could include

A narrow minded outlook where one rejects problems that arent ones
own.
This is not my responsibility, I pay taxes and do my job
The continual hope of something good happening takes precedence over
action.

Criteria of choice and Values assigned could be

Looking for alternatives 60%

Looking for excuses 20%
Looking for someone to complain/blame 20%

Such a mental model could be the guiding reason for people who didnt care
about the condition of the subway all these years but rather chose to look for
work-arounds or risked their lives by crossing the roads.

Feasibility/Infeasibility of the Solution

a) In the Short Term

In the short term, the solution seems to be feasible. The beautification

project has ensured that the subways have become open for use to the
general public. The painting work has restored the aesthetics of the place and
the subway is now an integral part of one of citys major hubs.

b) In the Medium/Long Term

In the larger time span, the solution might continue remaining feasible as
in, the subway might still be usable and beautiful etc. But the focus will have
to shift to sustenance because as Indian mentality dictates, once things start
becoming dirty, the society will take that spot for granted.

Also, there could be a question mark on the long term aspect of the solution
was this beautification fix really the solution to the original problem?
Looking at it from a different lens, the problem can also seem to be one of
health and hygiene more precisely, the lack of public sanitation/toilet
facilities, which led to people urinating in the subway. The Ugly Indian might
have rescued the subway, but it is also very likely that some other place is
now compromised.

And not just this, since looking for easier alternatives is also inherently a part
of the Indian mentality, theres every bit the chance that people continue
taking the risk of crossing roads rather than using the subway, which might
lead to its neglect and then the problem might go on to repeat a reinforcing
cycle of sorts.