good citizen

Be the change. Feel the change.

Since childhood, we are hearing this statement, “Change is the only constant”

Everything in life keeps on changing the moment we are born. One minute we are being fed and clothed by someone else, we are free to potty wherever and whenever we like and then one fine day, we have to dress ourselves, eat with our own hands and later, cook for ourselves.

As we start becoming aware of our surroundings, we also sense the need to change everything. Right from the time of getting up from bed or not, to how the food should be cooked to how the government should function.

We participate in debate and elocution competitions to voice our opinion. We write blogs. We tweet and outrage about how things should or shouldn’t be.

Essentially, we expect someone else to do the dirty work. But is that the right way to change things?

Rights and duties are the two different sides of a coin. While everyone wants the rights, the duties are being flee-ed away from. Like we flee from the Swine Flu virus! Charity begins at home, therefore, applies here more than anywhere else. It is easy to expect other people to change but it takes lots of courage to change yourself. Ask yourself what can you change? How can you improve your surroundings? What thing you can commit to? And remember change need not be a major one. It can be as small as you want it to be. Don’t litter, Stop spitting in public, Do not give or receive bribes, support education of an orphan, do not waste resources, specially public resources.

Be an inspiration to others and see the world changing! Be the Change to Feel the Change!!!

 

The virtue of cleanliness

The dictionary defines cleanliness as a state of being free from dirt.

As individuals we are obsessed with cleanliness. We shower twice a day* (atleast once where there is a water shortage), we wash our hands before and after eating meals, we sweep our homes and mop it with water. We do not allow even a trace of chocolate wrapper on the floor at our home.

This is the keyword. Home. We keep our home and ourselves spic and span. It would be an insult to us if someone were to visit our house and say it resembled a pigsty. (Not that I know how a pigsty looks) Anyway, the point here is, cleanliness is often restricted to self or home or rather where we get credit to keep everything neat and clean.

Once the responsibility ceases, we stop being the cleanliness freaks. We throw waste papers, wrappers & fruit skins out of the vehicle we are travelling in, we spit anywhere we please (to keep walls spit free, we need to put up pictures of God), we even pee and poop in public places without a care. Inspite of dustbins available easily, we have a tendency to through garbage where it is convenient to us. It seems like there is a challenge as to who throws garbage the least number of times in the trash can.

And then enters the Swachh Bharat Mission. I am principally against this mission. It is a sign of good citizen to keep his / her surroundings clean. But if we clean up the mess others did, for free, when would they take up responsibility for their actions?

The number of paid professionals to do this task as compared to the population is very less. We can reduce their burden by using the trash cans wisely and not go littering around. It is not that difficult either. We just need to be alert of our actions.

True cleanliness won’t be achieved unless people don’t wait for credit to not litter / not create a mess. It will be achieved when people realise their responsibilities. People need to clean their thoughts before they are expected to clean their cities.

A awareness to the need for overall cleanliness would lead to be a Godly experience for everyone for sure!

 

*necessity of living in a tropical country