I recall that one fine day I was
bidding goodbye to the lovely city Ahmedabad. I was waiting for the
train to arrive, my eyes were staring at the feet moving by on the
platform. Few people sitting and chatting amongst themselves were
sipping their share of tea. A few minutes later I noticed that the
plastic cups used by those people were swirling on the ground,
eventually stamped by the travelers.
It was those disposable cups that made me ponder the jigsaw puzzle question: are governments only responsible for the country? Are we not? India, the largest democracy in the world with the second highest population, offers its citizens rights and duties to enjoy and follow in a democratic spirit. But in reality, 'only rights are enjoyed, duties are not followed'.
We easily blame the lawmakers but I believe we have not lived up to our responsibilities. Leaving footprints on the city, one can easily see the scale of vandalism of national assets. Spitting on the walls of buildings and roads, tearing the seats of public vehicles, throwing garbage in the locality, traveling in trains without tickets are some of the hand-picked activities that the aam aadmi (Middle-class Man) resorts to without a second thought.
We have been speaking aloud against corrupt social and political roots but have we ever done something to bring about a change? Are the policy makers only to be blamed? There would hardly be a handful of philanthropic hands rising in this count that believe and act on it. Have you never broken the traffic rules? Have we never bribed a policeman or have we never evaded tax? Have we never thrown wrappers of chocolates or Wafers on the streets? We would surely not do this if we traveled in Singapore. Where’s the difference between a poor, uneducated person and us if we do this act consciously or unconsciously?
Like small drops make up an ocean, few pages make a book; similarly small acts can make sea changes in the society. We need to learn the etiquette's of a modern world.
It was those disposable cups that made me ponder the jigsaw puzzle question: are governments only responsible for the country? Are we not? India, the largest democracy in the world with the second highest population, offers its citizens rights and duties to enjoy and follow in a democratic spirit. But in reality, 'only rights are enjoyed, duties are not followed'.
We easily blame the lawmakers but I believe we have not lived up to our responsibilities. Leaving footprints on the city, one can easily see the scale of vandalism of national assets. Spitting on the walls of buildings and roads, tearing the seats of public vehicles, throwing garbage in the locality, traveling in trains without tickets are some of the hand-picked activities that the aam aadmi (Middle-class Man) resorts to without a second thought.
We have been speaking aloud against corrupt social and political roots but have we ever done something to bring about a change? Are the policy makers only to be blamed? There would hardly be a handful of philanthropic hands rising in this count that believe and act on it. Have you never broken the traffic rules? Have we never bribed a policeman or have we never evaded tax? Have we never thrown wrappers of chocolates or Wafers on the streets? We would surely not do this if we traveled in Singapore. Where’s the difference between a poor, uneducated person and us if we do this act consciously or unconsciously?
Like small drops make up an ocean, few pages make a book; similarly small acts can make sea changes in the society. We need to learn the etiquette's of a modern world.
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