#Anti-Spitting law

Why would anyone spit out their saliva in public places and on walls? Well, spitting is the act of forcibly ejecting saliva or other substances from the mouth...:) For your information, the saliva from your mouth is an important essential substance for your health. The enzymes found in saliva are essential in beginning the process of digestion of dietary starches and fats. These enzymes also play a role in breaking down food particles entrapped within dental crevices, protecting teeth from bacterial decay. Furthermore, saliva serves a lubricative function, wetting food and permitting the initiation of swallowing, and protecting the mucosal surfaces of the oral cavity from desiccation.

I also thought what the hell, and I used to treat my saliva like an excreta from my mouth which I should spit it out for my own convenience. Oh well! What a rookie ignorant I used to be until my hostel Warden Father P.O. Sebastian made us aware of the importance of our saliva and how spitting is considered rude and a social taboo in many parts of the world especially in European countries where he have visited and studied there, and including Western countries where it is frequently forbidden by local laws. That was the goodnight talk from my warden in 2006 when I still in higher secondary but a lifetime lesson for me everywhere I go. 

The reason why we Indian spit a lot in walls and public places is mostly because of the consumption of pan and gutkha. Anyone eating pan or gutkha is ought to spit out the stains of it one way or the other way. I guessed this is one reason for spitting in India which kind of stained India in the eyes of outsiders or even many of us. Beside there are other reasons of spitting but that’s just the rude nature or the doing of an ignorance. In my opinion, the hindsight of spitting problem in India is asocial. It is like ‘why is that a crime for spitting’ and ‘is it anyone concern whether I spit or not?’ but the spitting in public places and on walls are after all affecting the image of India in large when we could have been more sensible.

However, some people are not so and the anti-spitting innovative law that combines monetary punishment with mandatory community service initiated by the Maharashtra state government is a groundbreaking move to combat spitting in public places and on walls in Maharashtra.  It is said the law will be in place within the next six months. The anti-spitting bill will now have to clear in both the state legislature houses. The first time an offender is caught spitting, he or she will have to shell out Rs 1,000 as fine and take a day out to do social work at a public hospital or a government office. Second-time offenders will have to pay Rs 3,000 plus three-day community service, and repeat offenders Rs 5,000 plus five-day service, respectively. The amount collected in fines will be used only for healthcare services. This is great news for Maharashtra.

As a concern citizen, I’d recommend the anti-spitting law also be initiated at a national level. This would not only improve our country image but also our culture as well. In Singapore, the fine for spitting may be as high as S$2,000 (Rs. 95,180.00 approximately) for multiple offenses, and one can even be arrested. It’s no wonder Singapore is one of the cleanest cities around the world. In some other parts of the world, expectoration is more socially acceptable even if it is officially disapproved of or illegal and spittoons are still a common appearance in some cultures.

Do you think the anti-spitting law be initiated at a National level? If you think so, please share this with your friends and family in Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, etc. 

Food for thought: "To be or not to be that is the question." William Shakespeare.

Happy Father's Day!