Several kilometres of roads at Beshkent, Karshi District centre in Kashka-Darya Region, leading up to the Karshi Airport, are being hastily renovated ahead of the visit of Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the acting president of Uzbekistan. The acting head of state’s motorcade may use this route, Ozodlik (the Uzbek-language service of RFE/RL) reports.

Physicians and doctors in Karshi cleaning the city. Photo courtesy of Ozodlik mobile reporter

Hundreds of residents were engaged in cleaning activities along the Karshi-Beshkent motorway for an entire week early October. They cleaned road shoulders and ditches from the plant known as camel-thorn. Only females—nurses and doctors’ assistants at a local clinic—were engaged in the cleaning process. One of the female nurses there told a reporter of Ozodlik that she has been collecting camel-thorn “from dawn to dusk for several days.”

“We collected camel-thorns that grow along motorways. My back is still hurting. Male doctors and physicians remained at work to serve patients. Although we [female doctors, nurses, etc.] Although we must be there as well, the administration ordered we join the cleaning crews and collect camel-thorn. We had to obey, but we have no other options,” a female nurse from Beshkent told Ozodlik.

According to another doctor, the administration of Karshi District initiated and administered the cleaning activities. As it turns out, these medical professionals not only cleaned camel-thorn bushes but also whitewashed trees.

While this engagement was not paid for, all of those involved maintained their full salaries at their workplace. Also, free lunch was provided to all during this weeklong ad-hoc cleaning up initiative.

Fergana international information agency.