In a move that is being celebrated on social media far and wide, authorities in the city of Mysuru have installed reflective mirrors along a roadside wall. The move is aimed at curbing the problem of open urination at a spot long associated with the issue.Videos going viral online show numerous shiny mirrors fixed on a wall in an attempt to stop men from urinating in public. By placing the reflective steel sheets on the wall, the men can see their own reflection and hopefully step back. Interestingly, as per the posts, the mirrors also have LED lights for nighttime.The stretch where the mirrors have been fixed had become a regular trouble spot despite repeated warnings. However, the officials were tired of putting up signboards and warnings and thus tried a different approach.Now, the mirrors act as a direct visual check: the moment one walks up to urinate, they will be forced to look at themselves urinating in public on public property.Numerous social media users appreciated the witty and befitting trick. Some believe the behaviour can raise self-awareness and target behaviour rather than issuing warnings that are ignored.“Whoever came up with this idea deserves nothing less than a Nobel… Genius,” wrote one.“Knowing men, some of them might get a kick out of pissing on this,” quipped another.“Try this for paan spitting in Bihar. Mirrors will be stolen or Picasso will be ashamed. Either of these is for sure,” wrote a user.However, others have also pointed out the larger cause of the behaviours, which is unclean and inaccessible public toilets.“Mirrors installed on walls to prevent people from urinating in Mysuru. It’s crazy the things we need to do in India to enforce basic civic sense among adults,” one wrote.“Brilliant idea to place a mirror in public peeing spots But doesn’t that mean more public toilets need to be built & maintained it well, perhaps with minimal charges, to solve the problem? Otherwise, people will find a new spot,” added another.In India, this is not the first time the idea has been tried. Similar steps were taken in parts of Bengaluru in areas like Church Street, Koramangala and KR Market. For now, Mysuru’s experiment is being praised. But it remains to be seen if this will change behaviour or a larger step will be required.
