Editor,
I write to express deep frustration shared by many residents regarding the unbearably loud and repetitive jingle played by municipal garbage trucks. The jingle – often described by everyone as irritating “tenga dirty voice wala” tune – is not only sonically unpleasant but a daily assault on our peace of mind. However, just saying will not do; I come with the audacity to share this here.
How many times must the shameless municipal authorities be reminded that such volume levels, coupled with such an unpleasant choice of sound, amount to nothing short of noise pollution, that too in the morning when people want peace and quiet? They don’t play like this in other tribal Northeastern cities or towns, for example, Shillong, Kohima, Imphal, etc. Why do these people never change here? It is as if the municipal body is determined to prove its lack of basic common sense.
Instead of blasting a jarring and irrelevant Hindi jingle throughout our neighbourhoods, why not adopt a more thoughtful and culturally resonant alternative – such as a soft instrumental version of a local folk tune? Not only would this preserve our auditory sanity, but it would also show respect for local identity and taste.
Please stop assaulting our peaceful senses with your senseless minds and soul.
Jonathan