Is There Anythin Called as CIVIC SENSE??

Its long back that we studied what is Civic Sense. We knew what it was when we were small obedient children. And today most of us have forgotten about it. Or should I say, as we are growing up we are becoming increasingly ignorant? Just to refresh your memory, Civic Sense is nothing but the sense of responsibility which refrains you from misusing and misbehaving in public places. Common examples could be not spitting or urinating on the roads, not portraying obscene behavior at public places etc. Civic Sense includes but is not limited to not creating public nuisance. It has a larger ambit and includes traffic, government, health, education, environment etc.

So many times I have seen that a nice posh Honda City is driving ahead of me and waits at the signal when it turns red. Good, the driver is following traffic rules. But that’s not all!! As soon as he stops, he rolls down the window and spits outside on the road. How disgusting is that? Mind you, not every time the driver is the chauffer, so many times he is the owner himself! Now if somebody is so prosperous that he can afford a Honda City, why can’t his thoughts and behavior be equally prosperous? Why don’t such people think twice before doing such dirty things?

Another common example is that of a mother taking her child to pee right on to the road! WOW, if mothers themselves encourage such behavior then obviously the kid is going to grow up learning wrong things. No wonder we get to see so many grownups also doing the same thing and mind you, they don’t need any quite corners, just a wall is enough and many a times, even the wall is not necessary!!

I understand that our country lacks infrastructure and basic public amenities. But somebody somewhere has to find a way out. And each one of us says, WHY ME?? If we can’t do anything in a way that can change the country, we should at least be doing something in a smaller way like following discipline. If all the citizens of this country are determined to do so, India will definitely be the best places!

There are so many there examples that each one of us does everyday – like throwing bits of paper on the road. That reminds me of one classic example – and a recurring one – a commuter is sitting comfortably by the window in a local train. He has a nice backpack or a laptop bag with him. He is munching on to some chips and is really enjoying eating! As soon as he is done, he promptly throws the empty wrapper outside the running train. DISGUSTING!!! Instead, he could have just folded the wrapper and kept it in this bag till he comes across a garbage bin, but who wants to do that?

There is no point in blaming the country and the ruling, or for that matter non-ruling party for lack of infrastructure. The biggest question is how well the citizens of this country are going to be able to preserve and develop that infrastructure once that is provided. It’s a shame to see such things happening in metros like Mumbai but these things happen every day, every moment! We are lucky enough to have an opportunity to get educated then why do we forget our education so soon?

How common is it to see that the traffic signal at a junction turns red and none of the cars jump the signal? Very UNCOMMON, right? Why can’t we learn something from other countries where all the citizens follow traffic rules religiously? Over there, vehicles halt each time the traffic signal turns red, no matter if there is no pedestrian crossing the road! We like to use imported electronics, clothes and what not, then why can’t we imbibe some imported discipline in ourselves?

 

Should we really pray to God?

 

In olden days, the quality of life was so much better than today. Human species were way more innocent and were bound by some principles of life. One of such principles is Devotion to God. Older generations were so particular about prayer timings and the rituals they should perform everyday! They could miss the breakfast for once but they would never miss performing the pooja. No wonder their prayers were always answered! Today, in 21st century how many of us believe in God?

In the effort of catching up with the fast pace of life that modernization has brought, I think we have globalized our thoughts and mannerisms as well. It could be good to adapt to the changing lifestyle in some cases but we should certainly not be compromising on some principles that may help us groom in to a better individual than a smart man. For example, it’s the need of the hour to learn and do business in the global language although we have our own mother tongue. So it is good to learn and practice that language. But only because we are prospering so much and getting so busy with our jobs we shouldn’t give up praying!

Honestly almost all of us (there is always an exception to the rule) do not pray every day. We remember God only when we face difficulties. Why so? I realized this only when I observed myself when I was going through a rough patch. And I soon realized that many people around me are just like me. If we pray to the God only once in a while why would He answer our prayers?

I do not insist that we should follow exactly what our older generations did because we obviously will not be able to take out so much time from our hectic schedules. But we should definitely be allotting some specific time to pray. Now, praying, for each one of us could mean different. Some people may visit temples every day or some may perform pooja every day. But to be very honest, I lack that discipline. I would rather do namasmaran each day. However, there should be some parameters to the activity that you perform and most importantly it should be consistent.

So many times when we face some difficult situations we always question God – “why me?” but do we ever ask Him the same question when He brings us out of that situation? May be not! Now it’s a matter of belief whether the God really helps you out of the difficult situation or you just manage on your own. But I think there is certainly some divine force that gives you the strength to come out of that situation. And for me, that force is God.

I am experiencing a lot of things that I never experienced before. When I do namasmaran I feel the peace of mind that I have never felt before. I calm down and get better insights about myself. And then, it helps me find answers to lot of questions that I always thought I want God to answer. I believe, in a way God is answering those questions.

I have just started learning. One day I am sure I will be able to connect to that divine force. Today God is answering my questions. I am sure that tomorrow he will answer my prayers.

I am a smart girl. But I want to be a better human being. And hence I want to inculcate the habit of praying. I want to be humble enough to believe that there is a supreme power who may change things for you. And it really does work, try it!