India, a land of rich heritage and vibrant culture, is often praised for its diversity, warmth, and intellect. But walk through its bustling streets, board a local train, or simply observe a queue at a public office, and a glaring issue becomes hard to ignore — the lack of civic sense.
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What Is Civic Sense?
Civic sense is the basic responsibility of a citizen to be conscious of their duties toward society. It includes:
- Respecting public spaces
- Following traffic rules
- Maintaining cleanliness
- Speaking politely
- Waiting in queues
- Not littering
- Not honking unnecessarily
Sadly, despite being one of the oldest civilisations and a rising global power, India struggles with these very basics.
The Ugly Truth About Public Behavior in India
From spitting on roads to breaking traffic rules for “convenience”, the disregard for public norms is often normalised — even celebrated as "jugaad" or smartness. Some common issues include:
- Littering public places and blaming the government
- Breaking traffic rules like jumping signals or driving on the wrong side
- Damaging public property, like toilets or metro stations
- Disrespecting queues in transport and public offices
- Honking needlessly, creating noise pollution
- Public urination, despite "Swachh Bharat" efforts
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Why Does This Happen?
- Lack of Education in Values: Schools often focus on academic excellence but ignore civic education.
- No Fear of Law: Rules exist, but enforcement is weak. Fines are low, and corruption makes punishment easy to dodge.
- Social Acceptance of Wrongdoing: People grow up seeing others break rules and copy them.
- Entitlement and Ego: “Do you know who I am?” is a common attitude among many.
- Overpopulation and Chaos: In crowded spaces, discipline breaks down faster if not taught early.
What India Can Learn from Japan
Japan is the gold standard when it comes to civic sense. Here’s what sets it apart:
- Discipline Is Cultural: Japanese children are taught from a young age to clean, wait patiently, and respect public spaces.
- Cleanliness Is a Shared Duty: Even with few public dustbins, streets remain spotless because people carry their trash home.
- Respect for Others: People speak softly in public transport, never cut in line, and show deep social empathy.
- Law Is Law: Even the prime minister would queue like anyone else and follow etiquette.
How Can We Fix It in India?
It won’t be easy, but it’s possible. Here’s how:
- Start from Schools: Introduce civic education from the primary level. Encourage students to participate in cleanliness drives and traffic awareness.
- Use Media Smartly: Cricketers, influencers, and celebrities should promote good civic behavior. Show discipline as "cool."
- Enforce Laws Strictly: Impose heavier fines, use CCTV monitoring, and reward good behavior too.
- Local Community Involvement: RWAs and youth clubs should promote and reward cleanliness and civic conduct.
- Lead by Example: Every Indian must think: change starts with me. One act of discipline can inspire many.
Final Thoughts: Patriotism Isn’t Just About Flags and Songs
True patriotism is evident in everyday actions — not spitting on the road, helping someone in need, or obeying a red light, even when no one is watching. If we want a “New India,” it won’t be built by technology alone — it will need new citizens with old values of discipline, responsibility, and respect.
Let’s not just say Bharat Mata ki Jai — let’s behave in a way that makes Bharat Mata proud.
“The greatness of a nation is judged by the way its people behave in public.”
Let’s rise together. Let’s be better, like Japan, or even better.
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