What do you complain about the most?
Mr Sharma, a retired officer, is committed to maintaining cleanliness and order in his surroundings. He believes that civic sense plays a key role in encouraging these habits. Despite his jovial nature, he becomes frustrated with the negligence of others concerning cleanliness. He often complains about the filthy conditions caused by pet waste and stagnant water in his area. He advocates for communal responsibility in maintaining hygiene. The text emphasises that cleanliness reflects the civilised mindset of society. It criticises littering in public spaces, places of worship, and heritage sites. Mr Sharma believes that collective efforts are important. They must be supported by government initiatives like the “Clean India” campaign. These efforts can instil discipline and guarantee a better environment for all.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- Mr. Sharma emphasizes the importance of civic sense for maintaining cleanliness and order in society.
- He expresses frustration with people who neglect hygiene, especially concerning pet waste and stagnant water.
- Community cooperation, alongside government initiatives like the ‘Clean India’ campaign, is crucial for instilling discipline.
- Cleanliness reflects a civilized mindset, and public places, including parks and heritage sites, must be protected from littering.
- Citizens must collectively uphold cleanliness to create a cleaner environment for future generations.
Introduction
Mr Sharma is a septuagenarian, superannuated officer. While in a job, he always tried to set an example for his subordinates. In his daily routines, too, he is meticulous. A law-abiding person, he doesn’t like to flout norms. He believes that rules and laws are made to run society smoothly in order.
Respectable person
Sharma Ji is a jovial and accommodating person. He commands respect among his acquaintances and relatives. Despite all this, he sometimes becomes agitated and grumpy when things are not the way they should be. That day, he was serious. His slim body looked stern, and his narrow face wore no softness, as it used to be.
(1) Callousness
The pavements were in a dreadful state. The pets of morning walkers defecated there, and their owners lacked civic sense. He often raised his dissent, but the proclivity of callous people had not stopped.
(2) Expecting cooperation
He used to become quirky when bad things happened. That day, too, he was desperately trying to raise a complaint to the authorities. The puddle had become a frequent problem in the vicinity of his residence. The dirty water often leaks from the chambers and accumulates on the roads. It is not only ugly but unhygienic as well. The indifferent attitude of others bugs him. Mr Sharma has complained to other neighbours. He requested them to be in solidarity to raise complaints. Still, whenever such unpleasant incidents happened, he was the one who used to register a complaint.
(3) Cleanliness
Cleanliness, spick and span surroundings, should be a priority for everyone. It showcases the mindset and awareness about hygiene, cleanliness and the strong civic sense of people.
Cleanliness and Gandhi
Gandhiji used to put cleanliness on a high pedestal. He considered it a personal responsibility, affirming that cleanliness leads to a clean environment and good health. Cleanliness is a thing that can be achieved by community cooperation and joint efforts. (Mahatma Gandhi)
Chaos
Complaints are often seen in almost every aspect of life. The untidy and stinking government offices, chaotic traffic, frequent traffic jams, uncalled-for load shedding, poor roads, and pathetic civic conditions. The list is long and sometimes convoluted to the extent that unwinding it becomes a tedious job.
(1) Casual approach
The chaos in life is the result of the casual approach of people. The “I-am-always-right” syndrome compounds the situation. People do not bother to introspect and realise their faults. Pointing out mistake them restless. They become defensive, make lousy excuses and put the onus on the other. This annoys Mr Sharma, but he never howls. He quietly tries to set things right by reporting the flaws to the civic authorities.
(2) Clean, green environment
People do not like chaos and disorder. A clean, green environment and surroundings is everyone’s liking. Littered roads and surroundings are because of the lackadaisical approach of a casual few. Instead of using a garbage bin, littering anywhere must be criticised and discouraged. Littering passively affects the clean-looking house.
(3) Littering gardens and parks
Heaps of food leftovers. thrown casually in public parks after piquinique attracts dogs, crows, and other animals over the stinking garbage. It is a blot on the beautiful park. Littering public places is uncivilised and show lack of civic sense. People using a park or public place for piquinique, make sure not to throw garbage casually. A sensible citizen would clean their garbage after piquinique. They would not let the place turn into a garbage dump after they leave. Littering a clean garden is akin to immorality and social misconduct.
(4) Littering waterbodies
Similarly, throwing pet jars into the waterbodies of a park chokes it. Carelessly throwing pet bottles or empty food packets in the open is equally not ethical. It pollutes the environment and presents an ugly face of the place.
(5) Places of worship
The filth and squalor are often seen in and around the places of worship. This must absolutely not be accepted as a way of life. The places of worship are the places where one finds solace and peace in the vicinity of God. It is a pious place and hence needs the cleanliness of superior orders.
Defacing heritage sites
Historical sites and monuments are national heritage. They need to be protected and kept clean. Littering and defacing historical or archaeological sites, their green areas and lawns/parks advertise the filthy lifestyle of people. It presents a ludicrous sight before tourists, especially those from foreign countries.
(1) Writing or scratching
Writing (or engraving) names on the walls of monuments or ruins is a ludicrous way of showing love. Besides defacing the monument and giving it an ugly appearance, it raises questions about the upbringing of wrongdoers. The mentality is a blot on the great culture and civilization country. Wandering in a clean and orderly place provides pleasure. It leaves a long-lasting good impression about the place and the people.
(2) Punishment to wrongdoers
People used to praise cleanliness, order, tidiness, and systematic traffic when visiting foreign countries. Back home, adopt the same old absurd way. Such a duel and contrasting behaviour highlight dubious practices. To curb these actions, the government imposes fines or penalties on offenders.
While on the roads
While travelling on a highway or an expressway, even a slight carelessness leads to fatality. The traffic norms of an expressway are strict and regulated. Conversely, highways that often pass through inhabited areas are less swift. The modern highway traffic now passes through bypasses. Both of them charge toll tax, albeit with a difference in the amount. The tax for using an expressway is higher. It provides certain facilities and amenities for casualties. Nonetheless, people’s responsible behaviour on highways and expressways helps in checking accidents. Apart from safety, it allows travellers to enjoy the view while travelling and ensures a safe journey.
(1) Speed with care
People wanting a thrill of speed often cross the prescribed speed limits. This behaviour results in fatal accidents and the loss of valuable lives. Carelessness is disastrous for the person flouting the rules. It can also cause serious damage to their fellow commuters using the road.
(2) Distractions while driving
Playing loud and cacophonic musical instruments while driving rashly is annoying and against the rules. Doing this attract heafty fines. Needless to say, it distracts attention, leading to uncontrollable vehicles and deadly accidents. The telephonic conversation while driving is equally dangerous. Cautionary billboards are prominently displayed along the route, but some irresponsible individuals choose to ignore them.
Polluted environment
A clean environment and pristine rivers are beneficial. Beautiful hills, vast seas, and small waterbodies promote overall growth and development for society and individuals. The ruthless tree felling, polluting waterbodies, lakes and rivers are disheartening. Littering of serene mountains and hill stations is becoming frequent. Sea beaches known for their sparkling water are fast losing their sheen. Garbage dumps and mountains of litter cause stale air and unhygienic conditions. It also contributes to the much-hyped “Global warming” and disturbed weather cycles. Pluvial floods, drought, excessive snowfall, and forest infernos cause widespread destruction.
Government role
The government is doing their job. Much-needed mass awareness programs and encouragement to keep the environment clean are taken up. It is heartening that the scenario is now changing. With concerted Government effort and ranking of cities based on their cleanliness, it has become a reality. With initiatives like the “Clean India” campaign, a mass awareness drive for cleanliness started. It has a positive impact on society. Maintaining order and obeying rules need to be habitual. This inculcates a sense of discipline. It also makes oneself responsible for social causes that encompass all of Nature or civic issues.
Epilogue
Society runs smoothly through the concerted efforts of people and governments. Elected governments are duty-bound to take care of the welfare of society. Nonetheless, it is the responsibility of citizens to have civic sense. They must obey rules and help keep public order and cleanliness. Every individual is important and plays their role in nation-building. Whether they are part of the government in any capacity or are an individual. It is the collective responsibility to handover a clean and green society to the coming generation.
Further reads:
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