We should obey our civic duties

C. F. Andrews, the great admirer of India and the Englishman who campaigned for India's freedom movement, had dedicated his life to the service of our country. His aging father once had to endure a painful experience when he fell during his walk and broke his leg after stepping on a banana peel. Culprit in this incident was the person who forgot his simple civic responsibility of putting the banana peel in a trash can, and kept spraying it all over the street. If he had given an iota of thought to what the results could be of his silly and careless act, he would have definitely taken the effort to locate a nearby trash can. But it is difficult to even imagine such a thought crossing the mind of a person who never bothers to think about the convenience and comfort of others. It is very common for people to litter in public, resulting in such accidents.

What can this self-pleasing and self-centered attitude be termed as? Religious events such as a kirtan should be planned in a way which does not turn into a noisy affair, causing least disturbance in the neighborhood. Putting loud music and continuing throughout the night only shows how insensitive we could be to the students, ailing people, and others in the neighborhood who wish to live in peace. Before doing such things, we need to sit back and think about our civic duties and responsibilities. That means keeping our self interests in check, and giving priority to the convenience of others. We are expected to at least try and exhibit some civic sense which will motivate others too to follow the suite in imbibing those healthy habits and will spread the message of 'live and let live' a cultured life in the civic society.

Yug Nirmaan Yojanaa: Darshan, Swaroopa va Kaaryakram(The Vision, Structure and the Program) - 66 (6.92)"