Though the general public has other and more important issues for them to tackle, the non-inclusion of the Dehradun smart city proposal in the list of first-20 cities should at the least result in acknowledgement of existing reality, the need for reconsidering priorities and genuine effort aimed at achieving what is really needed. The common, almost stereotyped notion is that one has to facilitate construction of roads, infrastructure and increased tourism in order to develop the mountainous regions of the State. True, roads and infrastructure are vital for achieving the desired level of development needed to tackle the continued migration from rural mountainous areas to towns in the plains. However, there is a more important aspect that needs to be addressed first if one intends to enjoy the benefits of development rather than suffer from its repercussions. The state of mind- be that may at the individual, collective or establishment level- is the essential aspect which decides whether the people and environment benefit or suffer due to 'developmental' efforts.

The smart city proposal made for Dehradun elicited more focus and opposition not for the features planned in it but for the location- tea-gardens, where the planned constructions are supposed to come up. The plan elicited much opposition from the public and political parties- all expressing concern while making varied allegations. Many pointed out that the tea-gardens still in existence are among the few remaining aspects of the environmental and social characteristics for which Doon was appreciated while others alleged that the plan was being used mainly as a pretext for acquiring valuable land which could then be put to various uses. A fellow journalist recalled what a bureaucrat had stated candidly that if nothing else, the tea-garden land could be plotted and sold, which alone would result in an income amounting to about Rs 3,000 crore considering various factors. Though the Dehradun smart city proposal based on greenfield area development did not make it in the first-20 list, it is not yet out of the race with authorities hoping to make it in the next list of smart city proposals slated to be approved for execution in the future. While the authorities, businesses and public consider or continue to neglect important issues, we really need to understand and comprehend the importance of attitude as it is this- the way of thinking-which has a decisive influence on the outcomes of both activity and inactivity.

It does not require complicated astrophysics to observe, attempt to understand and do the needful in the interests of the public and environment. For example, it is common knowledge for many that after being established as the State capital following creation of Uttarakhand state, Dehradun has not changed that much for the better. The greenery and rich environment, the comparative simplicity and quaint calm of life in Doon has now been replaced in most of the places by gaudy, ill-designed cement structures. Oddly, many people seem to believe that development is achieved by reducing the greenery along with construction of malls, overpriced commercial enterprises, increase in disorderly traffic, congested settlements generating motley range of contaminants including noise pollution and cultural perversion. You may hark at this proposition, but as old timers will tell you, the undesirable aspects stated above are among the most visible ‘developments’ not only in Dehradun but in many other towns and suburban areas in Uttarakhand since State formation. The purpose is not to vilify society or the powers that be, but to elicit focus towards the comparatively simple and vital factors being ignored to the detriment of the environment and its inhabitants. We need to start by really acknowledging the actual situation and our role in deteriorating or enhancing it. Using common sense more often, actually inculcating civic sense and fulfilling at least our fundamental responsibilities is not too much to ask for. Unfortunately, if current societal and environmental trends continue to rise with active involvement of some and passive support of society- life here might become an example of various aspects displaying the absence of smart thinking. The establishment cannot force an individual or group to undergo genuine improvement but it can at least remind or encourage the public towards the practical, environmental and cultural aspects we continue to ignore at our own peril. However, for this to be possible, the establishment will have to undergo the required improvement itself first.

For a start, the authorities should at least enforce the basic civic and environmental regulations to address issues like the utter lack of basic sensitivity and sense of responsibility exemplified by citizens who continue to litter their surroundings and blatantly use loud sound systems without necessary permission and well beyond the permissible limit and period.