ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SANITATION

INSIGHT INTO AMERICA

ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SANITATION

From Young age, I was fond of spending some time in Parks. In those days at Trichy, there were two parks-Ebrahim Park and Fruit Park near Rock Fort. They were kept in excellent condition with trees, plants and various types of flowers. I happened to see the same parks recently- there is neither change nor any improvement and nothing new added - Very few visitors.

Wherever there is good drainage system in force and the water is clean- there you can find people in good health. Where there is no stagnation of water, there no mosquito menace. We all know these basic facts. Are we able to achieve this in India? This is a million dollar question.

As against this background, we can have a look at America and how they are able to maintain highest standards in this field.

We all know that America has achieved very high standard in health, welfare, medical research and medical education. This is entirely due to Government efforts and public cooperation. American constitution takes special care of American Children and Senor Citizens.

As an example, I took a study at Cerritos City in California-Los Angeles. There are 3-4 parks in a small city-smaller than Srirangam. These parks are very different from our parks.

These parks are like our golf course-green grass and beautiful pathways and in the center waterway (artificially made) not much deep but enough for fish and ducks to move freely. Fountains in many places add beauty to the waterway.

They are maintained by using modern machines for laying and cutting grass. Benches are provided at various places along the waterway. At one side Children Play ground, Gym, and another place an indoor Building exclusively for senior citizens-with built up area of 20000 sq ft. This building accommodates health care exercises, a Library, an indoor theatre screening health care tips and related films and experts who conduct class’s yoga and exercises.

A Citizen is not permitted to throw any thing in the park. Dog Owners should remove the dog waste and put in to the containers kept in many places for this purpose. In these places, tissue papers are kept for these people.

The park arranges various conducted tours and educate their people of how to do it yourself tips to keep your house and public places clean.

A place is provided for small parties at nominal fees.

Small snack bars and games for elders and competitions are arranged weekly. Except two officials, volunteers attend all other duties and they are encouraged by token gifts and cash.

Let us look how this beautiful Cerritos City came into being.

In 1956-this place was cattle shed. About 1, 00,000 cows and 400 Milk Societies were running.

They decided to make this place a small city.
In 1964 in 5-acres, permission was given to build houses. The name for the colony was chosen from among the Milk Society- Cerritos (Spanish)
In 1970-15000, people settled here.
In 1972- 40000 people settled.
Today more than a lakh people are living.

In 1971- A, City council was established to frame rules and regulations for orderly development of the city and civic affairs

In 1978, the City Council building was built using solar energy completely-first in America.

In 1980- Motor Maidan was established where the entire cars manufactured by Car Manufacturers all over the world displayed their models and for buying and selling

In 1997 a –million dollar building was opened bringing all the service depts. in one roof.

In 2002-Millinum Library was opened where you can find millions of books, CDs and video cassettes in all languages of the world including Tamil and Hindi. There are more than 500 computers with printers and scanners for the benefit of its readers and visitors.

Children are having separate section in an area of more than 10000 sq ft.

You can find similar facilities in all other places in America.

Education, Health, Welfare and environment are all in unison and embedded with the way of life here.

Private Sector is fully geared to meet the health needs of the People.
Insurance companies play major role here.

Part-A: Hospital Insurance:
By this any one can get hospital facilities anywhere near his place. The Government pays all the hospital bills.

Part-B: Medical Insurance:
Those people working in various establishments and industries get the above benefit. By mere $ 80 deductions from their pay, they can get treatment from Doctors approved by the insurance companies of the factory.

Doctors are elite citizens here and earn not less than 1.5 to 2lakhs per month.

R.Jagannathan.