It is not just in technological innovation and building modern economy that Indians have to learn, imbibe and get inspired from like South Korea, Taiwan and Japan. There is a more mundane aspect that we need to learn and imbibe from the Far Eastern countries – social responsibility and civic sense.

The recent performance by DJ and musician Martin Garrix at the DY Patil Stadium, Nerul, on March 14 left a mound of waste that required NMMC to work through the night to clear the mess.

Plastic wrappers, food waste and other garbage were littered all along the roads around the venue. “About 4.5 tonnes of dry waste was collected from the stadium premises, accounting for waste littered as well as the waste disposed in the dustbins inside and outside the venue. The wet waste of approximately 200 to 300 kgs was collected from dustbins within the stadium,” Mahendra Konde, NMMC PRO told Newsband.

The Martin Garrix Holi concert was attended by 45,000 fans. Martin Garrix  is a Dutch DJ, music producer, and songwriter known for his contributions to electronic dance music. 

It is not the first time that the city and its residents have to bear the brunt of the lack of civic sense. “Every time they have a concert, the roads around are littered with garbage and waste. True it is the responsibility of NMMC but what about our responsibility. Don’t we have any social commitments,” Nerul-resident Sarita Mukundan said.

“No one is against concerts or people enjoying their lives. But when we complain of how the country is lagging behind, we should realise the country is the sum of its people,” Anita Patil, a city resident, said.

NMMC claims it had stationed solid waste management team anticipating the mess left behind by concert goers. The corporation’s plans proved highly insufficient to clear the mess but the civic corporation worked through the night to collect and clear the waste.

“NMMC’s solid waste management department worked till dawn on March 15 to clear the mess and get the job done,” Dr Ajay Gadade, NMMC deputy commissioner, solid waste management department, said.

In December 2024, during the impeachment protests in seoul, South Korean citizens showed immense civic sense by collecting the garbage accumulated after the demonstrations. The citizens won praise for their civic sense and social responsibility. Earlier in 2022, Japan fans won praise for cleaning up the stadium after the football match between Germany and Japan during the Qatar Olympics.

For heaven’s sake, use the loo

NMMC’s fervent appeal to concert goers. Use the designated washrooms, inside the stadium, instead of public urination. Minimise littering. Plastic bottles should be directly thrown into dustbins and not thrown on the roads. It is our collective responsibility to ensure cleanliness.