We are not perfect. Can we ever be? I don't know. But, we can attempt to eliminate our foibles at every possible occasion. Especially those that will make living a better experience for all. Such measures, if done often and with determination, are likely to become a habit.
A big part of making it happen lies in conscious self-coaching. For example, when you are throwing or hitting a ball, the coach advises follow-through. But you have to work at it; remind yourself to do it. Then over time, it becomes part of the routine.
Another aspect is public proclamation. My view is that by stating intent, you get the support of real friends (example: AA). And you are more motivated to conduct yourself privately in accordance with the public statement (anti-example: politicians).
I am hoping that by providing a forum to declare a desire to improve things in our society, you will contribute to the betterment of our immediate neighborhood; if not always, at least most of the time. We change the world slowly, steadily, one person at a time.
The idea is that you will author a signed declaration on this blog (in the form of a comment) stating your affirmation of some social issue discussed here. Then, I hope, you will pause and reflect on this whenever you are tempted to commit that silly faux-pas. And that you will rope in a few of your friends to do the same. Soon, like a well-executed networking marketing scheme, we will be busy making this world better.
Silly idea? May be. Will it work? May be. May be not. But I want to give it a shot. I hope you will join me too. If this catches on, I will explore the idea of moving to a real website. A couple of friends have already expressed interest to help; there are some interesting ideas to experiment.
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Power of a nation starts with one..I hope there will be more sensible minds who will endevaor to maintain this kind of order.
ReplyDeleteI believe while there are always many pessimists around, but it takes one optimist to bring change. I commend your effort and will join the cause to evangelize the same.
ReplyDeleteI am an optimist and but I have another opinion that I would like to share as well.
Everyone wants life to be better . Even an illiterate person will agree with you. So, it seems strange that while everyone agrees to this, nobody follows it:) Like most of you, I have also participated in rhetorical arguments and discussions around the general topic of "Why is it so hard in India to bring about change".
I came to the conclusion that change in India cannot come bottom up. We are talking of a billion people here. The most educated as you noted as well set examples of being corrupt, indisciplined and demonstrate no civic sense.
What does the person who doesnot know better supposed to do ?
It has to be top down by our leaders, government, judicial system and bureaucracy in addition to the citizens of the country.
Remember, some of most advanced and developed countries were in the same shape not long back. Less than 50 yrs in some cases. The change in their countries didnot come about by each person pledging to be the change.
The individuals believing in bringing change will always be outnumbered by the folks who break laws at the drop of the hat. Law has to be strictly followed and enforced by the leaders for others to follow.
Again,I am an optimist and I believe in your cause and will do my bit to bring change.
Nice thought! I guess the root of the problem exists in the process of issuing Driving License in India. Ofcourse there is no process at all. Just pay some money to a tout, and you get your license and you start driving your vehicle wherever you find a space ??? There is no material available to read and understand dos and don'ts on the road, who has right of way...and so on. Unless, we address that issue, changing people on the road going to be extremely difficult and long drawn process.
ReplyDeleteSri (Dinavahi) and Raghu...
ReplyDeleteMine is not an absolute view. It is like our design approaches - we do top-down, middle-out and bottom-up.
If the law becomes clearer, certification is done right, enforcement is consistent then, of course, things will get better faster. But we do hold some other keys in our hands - it is public campaigning at the grassroots level. MADD did wonders to drunken driving; it worked colloboratively with the stringent laws (and enforcement).
The real success is going to show up when more people become "aware" and become "answerable" to themselves. Thank you both!
HI JP,
ReplyDeleteYOU KNOW ABOUT ME I AM SUCH A KIND OF SAINT ON ROAD, I HAVE DONE EVERY THING WHAT ONE SHOULD NOT DO ON ROAD. BUT AFTER THAT TRAGIC ACCI I AM NOW VERY CARFUL.WHAT YOU SAY IS VERY VERY CORRET,I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THIS MESSAGE WITH THAROON, ANU, AND MAL.
KUTTY
Very good idea starting this thought provoking blog..
ReplyDeleteEvery person, starting with this group of people, taking full responsibility for their actions, especially ones that they have done with full awareness that it will negatively impact the recipient and working sincerely towards setting it right will be a good beginning. Remember, it is never too late.
Great start!
ReplyDeleteI don't understand what goes in the driver's mind when they are going on the wrong side of the road. I am sure they are scared but feel that cutting corners once in a while is ok. Cutting corners from you life and also putting other’s life at risk is something not acceptable.
Change is always difficult hence it is all of our duty to preach the right thing to do. You have inspired me to start similar movement in other areas as well.
I agree with this movement and promise to abide by rules.
Anand
(ur golf buddy)
Pretty much all of us would have experienced a similar situation and thought that we should 'somehow' bring the change. I guess you've made a start :)
ReplyDeleteMy opinion on why people even think of breaking rules:
1. They are not actually 'thinking' and niether do they believe that they are breaking rules
2. They probably feel that others who follow rules are less intelligent / courageous than them and are unaware / scared of ways to go faster on the road!
3. May be they feel like VVIP's and think that the free part of the road is waiting for them to speed!
4. Last but not the least, I strongly believe that most such people are selfish and can only think about themselves and don't care about the inconvenience they might be causing to others. They don't respect others .. it's only about them. It’s the me-first-syndrome!
One situation that extremely disturbs me is when an ambulance is desperately trying to wade trough the traffic and people think it's their golden chance to move ahead of the rest instead of moving to the side and letting the ambulance go!
Most people who break rules look decently educated. I wonder what education really means to them. Is it just about adding academic degrees to one's resume?
Coming to my commitment to follow traffic rules, I don’t conciously break them and promise to continue to practise them.
- Sandy
Sandy, I agree on your point about the total disregard to ambulances; if we can get this campaign moving, I would like to pursue a few channels to publicize some of these issues. Right now, I am preaching patience (to myself).
ReplyDeleteIn an unrelated column by M.J. Akbar in TOI today on corruption in WB, I found this very relevant paragraph:
"... We are, by temperament, a short-cut people. We do not like waiting for due process, whether in a project or towards a destination. Indian corruption could well find an explanation in Indian traffic. We instinctively seek a faster way, whether on a cow-clogged country lane or an incomplete super highway. The Indian driver does not believe in the sober limitations of take; he is a devotee of overtake. Cars do not create traffic jams; drivers with hyper libidos do.
The long cut is demeaning to the Indian ego. ..."