National Character: # 001 Encroachment

National Character: # 001 Encroachment: I am amazed at the penchant for encroaching on public areas like foot path and road (in front or adjacent to one’s house), use of part of ...

# 001 Encroachment

I am amazed at the penchant for encroaching on public areas like foot path and road (in front or adjacent to one’s house), use of part of CA area like parks, playgrounds etc. It is common among all sections of society. It is common across the entire nation and nothing to do with region, religion, race, language, literacy, education, profession, occupation, economic status (poor or rich), caste, colour, place (city/town/village).

If a small and ordinary house owner has no qualms in occupying a 10 to 15 feet stretch of foot path of just about 3 to 4 feet in front of his house by putting an ingeniously designed flexible grilled door to park his motorbike or car a fairly rich person grabs more area by nonchalantly  concreting the entire area adjacent to his house which served as conservancy lane, now defunct but a public land, using it as garage with semi-permanent covered structure!! And of course, more rich and influential people will not think twice before gobbling up an entire adjacent park or lakebed area.

And certainly, this proclivity to grab on what is not mine is of recent origin, not more than 50/60 years. I have a feeling that people derive a sense of joy at such silly acts and a sense of achievement at having grabbed something extra successfully!! In fact people label those who don't to land grabbing as ‘poor’ fellow (if not simpleton) and doesn't know how to live in present times especially in India.