By R.Murugan, Work Assistant, O/o EE, PBND, APWD

Winner of Police Essay Competition Organised as part of Community Police Programme

Citizen is an individual who is legally recognized as a member of a state with certain rights, duties and responsibilities. Every citizen is bestowed with a host of fundamental rights by the statute while obligating him to carry out a slew of duties and responsibilities. The Article 51A of the Indian Constitution provides for certain fundamental duties which each member of the vibrant democracy is required to carry out.

Since independence, the society has made innumerable strides in terms of scientific and socio-economic development. Conversely, the vast development has brought along a number of by-products. While the society is reaping the benefits of development, some of the baneful consequences have started peeking and these issues could be quelled from plaguing the society only with the inclusive and individual participation of citizens. 

Today, the society has become obsessed with claims forgetful of duties and responsibilities. Given the scenario, it warrants that, every citizen is volunteered to exercise a slew of extra-constitutional duties in the interest of the progressive society in order to subdue the negative effects.

All pervasive social media: Be a responsible netizen

Today we are in an era of information technology revolution where penetration of social media is very profound and strong. While the social media has made communication across the globe very faster and easier, its negative impacts are posing great risks to the hitherto peaceful society. Social media has become a platform for gossip-mongers to unravel their imagination. Such elements use the social media to give an arm and a leg to petty matters in order to spread aspersions and invectives against the government and individuals. In this context, it will be ample if each one of us rises to the situation and become responsible about using social media. We should realize that, usage of social media does not end with merely clicking on the “like” button and forwarding the messages sent by someone. Everyone should exercise due discretion and prudence in weeding out unnecessary messages from going forward and to remain responsible netizens in the arena of cyber world.

Exercise abstinence

Immense Progress coupled with the influence of western culture on our societies has resulted in many people turning to the use of abusive substances like alcohol and narcotics. Despite the government propagating ill-effects of abusive substances, many indulge in such habits and get addicted. Hectic work schedule, bad company of friends etc also contribute to the changed attitude of people thereby drawing them towards alcohol and other substances. Many consider such habits as a tool to show-off their status while many others indulge in order to keep their friendship updated. Citizens must realize that, real pleasure does not lie in debauchery and they are the actual root cause of many socio-economic problems.    

Growing communal disharmony, intolerance and extremism

Communal disharmony and intolerance are two major challenges the progressive society is confronting today. Despite having made many strides in the spheres of science and technology and even after six decades of independence, these two problems continue to plague our societies till date. Renewed sense of patriotism with tolerance alone could solve these problems. Being citizens, everyone should strive to ensure justice, liberty, equality and fraternity to all irrespective of religion, caste and creed. The mantra “Unity in diversity” should always play pivotal role.

Terrorism and extremism are the two ghosts which continue to haunt the societies around the world. It is the citizens who can be the best exorcists to drive away the evil spirits of terrorism from the society. Whatever the agendas of extremists may be, if every one of us stand united in one spirit and become vigilant about the evil forces, no one would dare to come into our societies with an ill-will. Citizens should be watchful of the movement of strangers in the neighborhood as it will not be that easy for such elements to execute sabotage plans in the midst of vigilant citizens.

Being humane

In the constantly evolving competitive landscape, advanced technology coupled with hustle and bustle of modern life have taken a toll on the humanitarian side of citizens as they are left with little or no time for others’ concern. As a result, something fundamental to humanity has been left behind. Values such as empathy for our fellow human beings have been gradually eroded. Money and happiness are considered analogous in the progressive society. In the mindless pursuit of money, nobody in the society has time to appreciate the beauty of life. Being a citizen, one should deem that real pursuit lies at simple act of kindness to fellow-human beings.  

Civic sense: clean and green city

Cleanliness is next to God. As the society has progressed, it has brought along a host of civic issues in its stride. Lack of civic sense among citizens is a worrisome trend and this is taking a big toll on further development of the society. Civic sense is largely attributed to individualistic mindset of citizens. Spitting in public places has become a nuisance to the modern society where littering also tops the list of other nuisances such as excessive use of plastics, stray cattle menace etc. Citizens should stand up to the grave situation and become responsible about cleanliness.

Traffic and road safety

Traffic snarl is a major subsidiary of progress. The growth of automobile industry coupled with liberalized economic policy of the government has resulted in rolling out more and more vehicles on roads which eventually contributed to incessant traffic snarls and congestion. Road accidents have become order of everyday and there is no perennial solution for traffic woes. Adding fuel to the problem is people’s defiance towards traffic rules. Unless one rises to the situation and become self-disciplined about following traffic rules, traffic violations and accidents would continue to hound our roads. Another major factor which contributes to road accidents is the drunk and rash driving. Despite stringent rules and the presence of cops on roads, people resort to reckless driving. Given the scenario, it is the foremost duty of every one of us to strictly adhere to road safety norms and traffic rules. 

Adhering to town planning rules for infrastructure development

Another by-product of the progressive society is the growth of realty sector which led to indiscriminate use of land for the purpose of construction. Fast paced urbanization has driven the demand for more houses resulting in many tracts of agricultural land being converted into housing plots. Amidst such chaotic run for development, many fail to comply with mandatory town planning rules leading to civic issues like improper drainage, sewage overflow, flooding etc. There are many instances of cities having been inundated in rain water and this is primarily due to failure on part of citizens to adhere to civic body rules while constructing homes and buildings. Unless each and every citizen vows to adhere to town planning rules, the progressive society would not be able to address those recurring problems.

My Earth, my responsibility: be an agent of change.

Global warming is a major challenge confronting the world. This is one of the most dangerous by-products of development the society has attained today. As predicted, if the climate change continues unabated even at the present rate, the Earth will face unprecedented levels of water rise due to fast receding of arctic ice leading to inundation of many low-lying areas. Though global warming is perceived as a universal issue, we are individually accountable to this global phenomenon as the acts of every one of us have driven this local issue into a global one. Being citizens, we can do our bit to reduce the per-capita carbon footprint. Opting for car-pooling, occasionally using public transport etc would go a long way in reducing the per-capita carbon foot print and these can be initiated at citizen level.  Replacing energy efficient LED lamps instead of conventional bulbs and tube lights, use of solar powered equipments instead of coal and coke fired equipments etc also would pay rich dividends in mitigating the effects of global warming. While the Government is planning to embrace clean fuel standards called BS-VI from 2020 AD onwards, small measures on our part today would prove to be most beneficial in the long run.

Mahatma Gandhi had said that “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed”. But, feeding much to its greed, the society is inclined towards unsystematic and indiscriminate use of water. In the marathon of life, we have forgotten the fact that water is the elixir of life not only for the human-beings, but also for other living-beings on Earth. Considering this, we should strive for judicious use of water as it will have a far-reaching consequence on our attempt to protect the Mother Nature.

Vote to enthrone right people

 “Democracy is a form of government by which revolutionary changes are brought about the economic and social life of people without bloodshed”. Dr.B.R. Ambedkar tacitly referred to the importance of voting which determines the fate of rulers. In this modern progressive society, many are shying away from exercising the right of franchise thereby failing to fulfill the constitutional duty. Citizens should realize that, right to vote is an integral part of democracy and for the democracy to remain vibrant; citizens should always strive to vote right candidates to power.   

Contribute to nation building

A country and the society are considered analogous in the context of economic development as the society reaps the benefits once the country attains progress. Economic development of a country is largely dependent on the revenues like foreign remittances, taxes, duties etc. Tax evasion, black money and corruption are major factors contributing to weakened economy in today’s society. Besides, NPA in the form of bad debts in banks also hurt the cause of a robust economy. Repayment of loans, timely payment of taxes should be accorded priority and every citizen must play key role in fulfilling their own obligations to the society.

On the other hand, population explosion also takes a substantial toll on nation building. People’s inactive participation in census and survey operations results in extrapolation of deficient data thereby impairing the delivery system of the government. Large corpus spent on welfare measures of vast population incurs huge expenditure to the states exchequer thereby depriving the state of resources.

Brain-drain is another issue prevailing in a progressive society. As the society progresses, it affords to provide education all. In the quest for lucrative career, those educated section starts migrating to economically advanced countries leaving behind a vacuum of talent in their own society.

Fullest contribution of citizens towards nation building would stem only from the sense of patriotism and integrity. Citizens with integrity would refrain from tax evasion and amassing black money. Those with patriotism would never leave the society in search of lucrative career, instead, with their acquired talents, they would strive to turn their own society a self sufficient and prosperous one. It is high time citizens renew their sense of patriotism and integrity in the interest of society.

Be indigenous

In the evolving era of liberalized economy, the world has become a global village where intercontinental exchange of products is very common. However, invasion of foreign products often take a toll on indigenous products as it generates an uncompromising competition in the market as many opt for imported goods. In doing so, indigenous producers are left to battle for survival without a conducive market. On the other hand, import of foreign goods entails a large part of domestic exchequer being flowed out. If we determine to buy indigenously produced goods instead of imported goods, it will help local producers grow while protecting the domestic resources from draining out. Against this backdrop, every citizen is in need of reviving the Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy of “Swadeshi” for patronizing the local products in order to protect the economy of progressive society.

Conclusion

                When there is righteousness in heart,

                there is beauty in the character.

                When there is beauty in the character,

                there is harmony in the home.

                When there is harmony in the home,

                there is an order in the nation.

                When there is an order in the nation,

                there is peace in the world.                                   - Dr.A.P.J. Abdul Kalam                                                                           

As Dr. Kalam had opined, righteousness of citizens is key to peaceful world. Peace is always synonymous with a state of contentment with all sorts of requirements having been fulfilled. Righteousness symbolizes a combination of good character with a sense of duty and responsibility. The more the progress, the greater the impacts will be. Whatever the impacts may be, whether positive or negative, but it is the duty of citizens to transform negatives into positives with their sense of duty and responsibility. As the most intelligent species on earth, citizens should take their fair share of responsibility and sincerely think about the path they should follow in the progressive society. As Pt. Nehru said, today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders. We should also strive to pass on the virtues of duty and responsibility to our posterity so as to make this society a best place to live.