“Front Line Warriors are Battling it out Daily to Ensure our Safety”

Sidhappa, 55 years old, is the Garbage Collector in Mahalashmi, Bangalore, India. He is battling it out daily to ensure we are safe and taken care of during the lockdown. - We salute these hero’s.

Sidhappa ensures waste doesn't pile up in Maha Lakshmi layout House Holds. He believes the current lockdown is the time to stay strong. Sidhappa leaves his home at the crack of dawn every day. 

“The trash burden has increased after the lockdown; medical and dry waste are comparatively more. There are numerous wrappers of food products, craft paper and glass bottles among dry wastes, while people are also discarding a lot of masks,” he adds. “On many occasions my wife has expressed concern about my health, as I am always standing in a mound of garbage. The city would be clean if people became responsible.” Sidhappa adds.   

He has noticed a change in the waste these days. "Initially people would often throw garbage in open areas but now since everybody is at home, no one dumps trash outside, people hand it over to us sincerely.” Sidhappa adds: "The lockdown has certainly instilled a sense of responsibility in people."

Sidhappa. Garbage Collector. Bangalore. India. May 2020. By Tarun Kumar.