A Bengaluru businessman took it upon himself to fix the potholed road in his locality; however, his very unique way of doing the repair got the internet talking.
Bengaluru, formerly Bangalore, is a technology hub of a large economy, hosting start-ups and large global firms
Businessman Akhil Hemadri, who featured in the viral video, has garnered much praise for not waiting for government intervention and instead repairing the damaged stretch of road without any official help.
But it was his luxury red Porsche that got the real attention – Hemadri used the hood of his top-of-the-line car to mix cement for the repair.
After repairing the pothole, the businessman peeled back the protective film from the bonnet to reveal the unscathed Porsche. The trick made netizens wonder if it was all just a PR stunt.
What happened in the viral video:
In the video, the businessman said that it is the responsibility of every individual to keep the surroundings clean and tidy. He also noted that the government alone cannot change everything.
“Every person should take responsibility to keep our surroundings clean and tidy. We should not always rely on the government for everything. Our country is very populated and change cannot come only through government efforts,” he wrote while sharing the viral video. “Real change begins when each of us does our part.”
However, Akhil Hemadri clarified that the video was made “purely to promote my company’s brand and showcase the power of PPF for car protection”.
He then noted that apart from business, this PR piece carries a message – “If we protect what belongs to us, care for our environment and act responsibly, we can build a cleaner and better nation.”
The video sparked a wave of reactions across social networks. While several users praised the initiative and supported individual responsibility, others condemned the intention behind the trick.
Akhil Hemadri has since disabled the comments section of this viral video.
“No potholes in Bengaluru”: DK Shivakumar
Late last year, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had claimed that there were no potholes in Bengaluru, claiming it was all a “creation of social media”.
“There is no pothole, no problem. It is only a social media creation. Bengaluru is doing well. People are coming from all over the world to invest in Bengaluru, live in Bengaluru, work in Bengaluru,” Shivakumar had earlier told ANI.
His remarks drew a lot of criticism on social media, especially after Shivakumar himself claimed that extensive repairs were underway to fix potholes in the city.
“Pothole repair work is in full swing across Bengaluru. Our engineers and workers are on site every day to ensure consistent quality of every repair. We are committed to providing smoother and safer roads to meet the growing aspirations of Bengaluru,” he tweeted earlier.
