India, May 12 -- A recent conversation with my wife and daughter proved revealing, bringing together observations from within our residential society. My wife had taken the initiative to set up an in-house compost plant within the condominium, aligned with state regulations that mandate bulk waste generators to process their own waste, failing which penalties may be imposed. Yet, what followed was resistance. Several residents opposed the move, citing concerns about foul odour.

One argument was that the government itself is failing in its duties, and that the sight of uncollected garbage in public spaces stands as evidence of this apathy; in such a scenario, our own lapses seemed inconsequential. The estate management staff remains indif...