CITIZENS AND CIVIC SENSE

From Sampath’s Desk:

 

CITIZENS AND CIVIC SENSE

 

The study of civics generally relates to government and governance. It also refers to the study of citizenship vis-à-vis government, more so with the role of citizens and their responsible and dutiful behaviour in society. In a way, it can be called ‘Public Education’. That Government is the best one which rules the least. A modern welfare state is one that cares for its citizens, from cradle to grave.

 

Just like the government or the administration has the responsibility for good governance and is supposed to take care of the welfare of all its citizens, the citizens also have corresponding duty and responsibility towards the governing bodies, the rules and laws of the land, the fellow-citizens and the society at large. Schools, besides promoting academic excellence, innovative thinking, positive knowledge expansion, analytical tool updates, best practice models, etc., should infuse and inculcate in children values like self-control, discipline, decency and decorum at all places, respect for others and their rights, abiding by the laws and rules of the land - in a nutshell ‘civic sense’. Citizens are supposed to be lifelong partners in the creative growth, constructive progress, and positive development of the society and the nation at large.

 

Let us start with a simple example - cleanliness. Cleanliness of the environs and public places is as important as home cleanliness. While we take all steps to keep our home clean, neat and tidy, let us also care about environ cleanliness. Avoid littering, spitting, smoking, or any other misuse or abuse of public places. This is the least a citizen can do about cleanliness.

 

Citizens should be receptive, responsive and cooperative to good common causes. To start with, be friendly with your neighbours and neighbourhood. Orderly behaviour is thumb-rule. No doubt, everybody is entitled to enjoy his or her due share of the cake of rights and freedom as long as they don't infringe with or breach the rights of others. Wherever and whenever necessary, an individual’s comforts or rights can be truncated or even sacrificed for the sake of the society, general public, and unity, integrity, and security of the nation.

 

Rules of the road have to be scrupulously followed. Etiquette and decorum must be maintained at all places and in all situations. Every citizen must contribute towards and be part of the social network and shared mission and vision, common endeavours and collective goals for the welfare of the society.

 

John F. Kennedy would advise the people, “Don’t ask what the country has done for you; instead, ask yourself what you have done for the country?” If such an approach and attitude is adopted along with valuable values, every citizen is sure to contribute towards producing a righteous social order. If an individual turns good, the family would turn good. And again, if a family turns good, the society will follow suit, and finally, the whole nation and the world and humanity at large. In other words, one should love and work for his/her country and its subjects the most. Citizens should also respond to the calls of the government for the implementation of the schemes for public good and nation-building.

 

The most serious threats to mankind, of late, are pollution, environmental degradation, deforestation, indiscreet and careless disposal of industrial wastes and chemical effluents, and abuse of natural resources - all precipitating and aggravating global warming and the resultant climate change. Let us be environment-friendly to secure a safer world sans pollutions of sorts to be bequeathed to prosperity!

 

In the era of global capital, global information and global village, one needs to be a global citizen. Former President of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam would exhort the children, the budding future citizens, to question the answers rather than answer the questions. This would help them get great insights into the knowledge world with new updates and keep themselves abreast of the latest developments around and remain trendy from time to time.

Children should be persuaded not only to live in communion with nature but they, in turn, should make others to live a nature-friendly life. Even as we take pride in our age-old civilization, traditions, culture, national heritage and intellectual properties, let us all be environment-savvy to save the world from the adverse and hostile consequences of global warming and climate change the signs of which are, of late, increasingly visible and playing havoc in many parts of the world. It is the shared responsibility of all to reverse this sagging trend and make Mother Earth a paradise to live in as ever before. 

 

 

(R.SAMPATH)

25/2/2021