Mangaluru: Businessman Gilbert D'Souza fights apathy by closing 30 potholes


Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (SB) 

Mangaluru, Nov 8: Gilbert D’Souza, a well-known businessman has repaired nearly 30 potholes in the city and has received appreciation for his selfless act. 

On Thursday morning, Gilbert started filling the potholes at Bendoorwell and then he proceeded towards Bendoorwell Circle and Kankanady. After seeing Gilbert working as a labourer along with helpers, many stopped to ask him questions. However, the sudden attention did not stop Gilbert, who continued his work and filled around 30 potholes by noon. 

The members of a civic group and traffic police personnel also joined him and appreciated the leadership he took to keep city roads perfect.

 

Speaking to Daijiworld, Gilbert said that he frequently travels on the road which is riddled with potholes. Many accidents have taken place on this stretch and blaming the civic body is the usual tendency. "I thought why can’t I fill potholes for the time being and hence avoid mishaps. I shared this idea to Abdul Rauf another business friend and he extended his support to me and offered cement and sand. Civic group members also joined me and we closed more than 30 deadly potholes in city,” he said. 

“As a concerned citizen, I did my duty. We can’t wait for civic officials and administration all the time to take up emergency works. Closing the potholes for temporary period is not a big deal. As active citizens, we can also do this. We know the working style of our administration. So let’s focus on avoiding accidents and saving lives. We should take swift action. I think if citizens of the city take up the initiative, within a day, we can close all potholes on our city's roads. We can also use this idea as a protest against apathy shown by the administration,” he added. 

  

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Comment on this article

  • Wilma Baretto, Valencia

    Sat, Nov 09 2019

    Uncle such a great job congratulations you have blessings from almighty along with appreciations from people.
    Appreciations from all of us

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Julian D'Cunha, Bejai, Mangalore

    Sat, Nov 09 2019

    Sir, We highly appreciate your efforts towards the betterment of our city.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Don, Mangalore

    Sat, Nov 09 2019

    The government should turn to business community and local philanthropic organizations like Lions & Rotary Club, etc, etc to sponsor a road. These organizations/business should get a tax break for the money they spend.

    This will not only take care of the pot holes, but they could also build some foot paths for people to walk. These organization could also plant trees beside the roads for cleaning up the air, and much needed shade for motorist and pedestrians.

    For years we have been giving advise to the govenment and till date it has been falling on deaf ears, hope this letter gets noticed and some positive action is taken by the government.

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lawrence Mascarenhas, Houston/Texas/USA

    Sat, Nov 09 2019

    I know Gilbert D'Souza from my childhood. He always thinks out of the box. He has innovative ideas. I don't think he cares about the publicity, but the publicity is good so that other like minded businessmen can come forward and follow him. People can afford to pay millions of dollars to fill the potholes, but personally laboring to do the job is something great.

    I live in the USA. Once I came across an old man who always picks up the littered thrash in our neighborhood from morning to noon. He looks like a destitute. Once I offered him a few bucks appreciating his work, he refused to take it. During our conversation, he told me that he was a retired judge, lives in biggest house in hour neighborhood. His son was a leading lawyer and his wife was a CEO of a small company. He appreciated my gesture but I was ashamed of myself. I also learned a life time lesson from him. There is a pride in doing what you want to do, no matter what others think about you.

    DisAgree Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • shankar bhat, mangaluru

    Sat, Nov 09 2019

    kudos to mr dsouza and his group. in view of such initiate all public spirited group can come together, form an organisation, pool resources and keep doing all good public work without waking up the administration; we can as well move for closing the public administration. more people do what they should have done, public administration will be happy to sleep. regards to all who filled pot holes for the present.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Elias MASCARENHAS, Melbourne/Puttur.

    Sat, Nov 09 2019

    The initiative and action taken by Gilbert Dsouza and like minded persons reminds me of the famous quote of John F Kennedy - ask not what the country can do for you but ask what you can do to your country.

    Very often we come across people asking the first part and rarely think on doing something other than protest, complaining and challenging. Hopefully, this gesture inspires many residents to take care of the roads and lanes leading to their houses and ameloirate the sufferings of the larger community as a whole.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Kim Mathias, Mangalore

    Sat, Nov 09 2019

    Thank you for your selfless act, this will prevent a lot of accidents. Godbless you!

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • R.Bhandarkar, Mangaluru

    Fri, Nov 08 2019

    Tumhi ashenth kelyaar
    MCC ak road repair ...request ailyaar
    Tumche address divun daadhonk asaa ye MCC ....
    Baari danger log....
    Tumhee 30 r stop karaa.... Zyaat gee ?
    Kallen Moo ?

    DisAgree [1] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ina Carmelita DSouza, Mangalore

    Fri, Nov 08 2019

    We can be sure he has given break to at least a few would be mishaps. God will surely bless him."REJOICE Your reward will be great in heaven" Mathew 5:12

    DisAgree Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • Gregory Peres, Bakikashrama Rd, Kankanady

    Fri, Nov 08 2019

    I have been doing it on Balikashrama rd, Kankanady. But i hate publicity. What your left hand gives the right hand shouldn't know, is my policy and i have no political ambitions either. Anyway hats off to Mr Gilbert Dsouza. I hope others like him Too would come forward instead of simply complaining. Self help is the best for every community.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • YOGI THUNTA, MANGALURU - NEAR PUMPWELL CIRCLE

    Fri, Nov 08 2019

    Why we all falling in the trap again ! then why we are paying tax ? Why there are no planning as the departments got several ENGINEERS and Junior Engineers having lavish life and enjoying the season

    DisAgree [2] Agree [22] Reply Report Abuse

  • J.F.D SOUZA, Attavar, Mangalore

    Sat, Nov 09 2019

    First of all not only I , we all appreciate the steps taken by you knowing the gravity of the issue. But none of the Officers who are meant for doing such works for the sake of public . Let them do such good works for the sake of pubic

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • R.Bhandarkar, Mangaluru

    Fri, Nov 08 2019

    How much can you fill Sir ?
    All roads here are hol(e)y than the other !
    Appreciate your Initiative though.
    Why do we have MCC elections I still ask.....and why pay taxes ??Think all toll gates should be dismantled.VP has come and gone aa ?
    Nonsense exercise these MCC elections.Over n above holiday it seems.
    Karmaaaaaaa

    DisAgree [2] Agree [41] Reply Report Abuse

  • Cynthia, Kirem

    Fri, Nov 08 2019

    Well said Bhandar sir... 👍

    DisAgree [1] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • VISHUKIRAN FERNANDES, Kalasa

    Fri, Nov 08 2019

    "The happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others". Great work sir. People can take inspiration from you to take up small civic works at least in their surrounding.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [28] Reply Report Abuse

  • Cynthia, Kirem

    Fri, Nov 08 2019

    Shall we proceed in the footsteps of Gilbert sir... Vishu ji..? Come on... Appreciable work by Gilbert sir... May god bless him abundantly...

    DisAgree Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • Richard Rodrigues, Niddodi

    Fri, Nov 08 2019

    Well done Mr Gilbert D Souza.Waiting to hit century soon.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [35] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ramesh, Mangalore

    Fri, Nov 08 2019

    Thank you siri's God Bless..

    DisAgree Agree [30] Reply Report Abuse

  • Avinash Shetty, Mangalore

    Fri, Nov 08 2019

    Great initiative! Keep up the good work. Thank you on behalf of all Mangaloreans Mr. Gilbert D'souza.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [35] Reply Report Abuse

  • Gregory Peres, Bakikashrama Rd, Kankanady

    Fri, Nov 08 2019

    If each one of us looks after our immediate area then i see no need for a Corporator. These corporators ( few of them) are poorly educated and don't understand hygiene etc. They only play dirty political games. The Corporator looks for simething else which everyone knows !! You and I know the truth ! Sad and pathetic.

    DisAgree Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dr Diana Pais Prabhu, Mangalore

    Sat, Nov 09 2019

    Yes surely if like minded persons understand their responsibilities to ease the problem of pot

    DisAgree [1] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dr Diana Pais Prabhu, Mangalore

    Sat, Nov 09 2019

    " A stitch in time saves nine'.If all those who are inspired todo something good to ease the problem of the shoddy road pits,it iscertain we can overcome all problems asself the besthelp"instead of waiting for the civivbody.help is

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse


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