Lady Flora noticed that her friend, Sir PM, aka Pheroze, was busy reading a note at their adda inside Cooperage Bandstand. She also spotted a stack of envelopes beside him. “Pheroze, what’s up? I can see intent written all over your face,” she smiled, nudging her friend to spill the beans, which was never a problem. Sir PM gladly began his mini monologue, “I assumed you would have heard about it by now. I had installed a suggestion box near my pedestal to help citizens. The idea is to allow them to note down their issues and concerns about the city, and I, in my humble capacity as a former city administrator, will promise to do my best to ensure that these are shared with the powers that be. I know, I know… Such an idea could be fraught with challenges. But I felt what good of my past legacy and [clears throat] standing, if I cannot put it to better use. After reading so much about the endless civic issues across newspapers, especially mid-day, I honestly feel more needs to be done by the babus and netas. This citizen suggestion box is a small step. But a start, nevertheless.”

Lady Flora liked the sound of it. “So that explains this pile. May I read a few, if you don’t mind?” she nudged. Curious was her middle name, after all. “Please go ahead. This has always been on our minds, collectively,” exclaimed Sir PM, burying his head back in the notes. “Listen to this gent’s request. All he wants is to remove the litter that lines railway tracks along our railway lines. He writes about it being a long, continuous eyesore. I see his point. That last trip to the boondocks to meet the honourable Union Minister…where was it? Ah, yes, Kalyan…that was an eye-opener. Others cited problems about endless infrastructure projects that had increased pollution levels, while some were worried about climate change and rising temperature levels. A few were worried about the constant threat to our existing green cover.”