India, Oct. 10 -- Sukhna Lake is more than a waterbody; it is the ecological and emotional heart of Chandigarh. Yet the lake continues to face challenges from silt flowing down from the Shivalik hills, aquatic weeds and declining water-holding capacity.

During my years in the Chandigarh administration, particularly as deputy commissioner, I witnessed an inspiring chapter in the city's civic life-the rise of the Save Sukhna Lake Society. It was a living bridge between the administration and citizens.

Today, an important question arises: What happened to that spirit of collective responsibility?

When citizens led the movement

The Society was built around shramdan, or voluntary public participation. Senior bureaucrats, students, retired ...