Encroachments in public spaces right from pedestrian ways to entire play grounds are a common sight. Such infringements over public properties cease to stop, partially because of violation of legal regulations, or simply a lack of them. The other reason is, however, complacent citizens refusing to take any action whatsoever to curtail any growing illegal encroachments in their localities. But that is not the case with 7-year old Navya Singh, who has set an example for all of us by saving a park in her area from succumbing to Delhi Development Authority’s (DDA) plan to construct a community centre therein.
To construct the centre in Hanuman Mandir Park of Rohini, a residential area in the Capital city, DDA had started off with laying barricades for the construction process. With assistance from Divya’s father and lawyer Dheeraj Singh, Divya managed to take this issue to Delhi High Court for a legal verdict. The Better India reported that Dheeraj’s arguement in court was that the decision to build a structure such as a community hall in the park was an example of “poor planning.” He also mentioned in his case that there was another one just 50 metres away from the proposed site. Leaving no stone unturned, Navya also wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting him to save “her park.”
In their verdict, the bench issued a notice to DDA asking about the purpose of constructing a community. Besides, the bench stated that parks are not meant to be converted into such structures. Singh told Indian express that “Navya always asked me for updates on the court hearing. I told her we won. She screamed with joy. The DDA had put barricades in the park, but the court has now asked that the park be restored to its original shape.”
The conviction and success of a 7-year old is certainly something we all can learn from!
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