We all have learnt Civics during our school days... and forgotten. More precisely, we remember the
"Rights" part of it when we want and ignore that the other side of the coin has "Responsibilities"
written onto it.We all fume at the person spitting at the bus stop but do not hesitate even for a
second when we throw away the ticket right on the road the moment we get down from the bus.
Will we never improve? Is it already too late for us as a nation? We don't think so and neither
should you.We are not asking you to improve the entire neighbourhood but even if after reading
this section you can improve the way you, your close friends and your loved ones behave in the
public, we would be happy we built this site!
Please do not say what difference I alone can make because you already have started making a
difference by reading this article.Don't stop at just that.Start the chain reaction.Do it
for yourself, do it for your children and do it for India...
Steps:
Traffic Sense for drivers:
The fact that your car has a horn does not mean that you should keep on using it. By all
means use it to warn pedestrians but blaring it is not going to get you out of a traffic
jam.
If your car has seat belts, they have been provided for a reason - not as a mere accessory.
Use them - even if you are travelling for a short distance - unless you are looking forward to
injury or death in a car accident.
Do not go ahead on amber light.
Do not overtake - even if you are late or in a hurry.It is better to be late than never.
Always park in places provided for parking. Do not inconvenience others just because you
don't want to hunt for a parking lot.
Traffic Sense for pedestrians:
Zebra crossings are not for road decoration. Make use of them.
Look on both sides before crossing. It could mean a difference between life and death.
Railway tracks are meant for trains only. Use the bridges provided for you.
Stop running in front of the cars to cross the road.
Make use of the subway whenever possible.
Public Parks:
Keep your dogs on leash and clean up their mess using old cards and newspapers.
Do not exercise with your hands while walking.
Do not exercise in the middle of the walking path.
If you are walking at a slow pace, make sure you do not come in the way of others walking briskly.
Do not stand around talking in groups in the middle of the walking path.
Urge the authorities concerned to have the walking path marked so that people can use one
direction for walking.
Noise:
Acceptable Noise Levels (In Decibels):
City Zones
Daytime
Night Time
Industrial
75
70
Commercial
65
55
Residential
55
45
Do not use reverse horns after 10 pm or early in the morning in residential areas.
Do not honk in residential areas in order to call someone out.
Buy less noisy colourful firecrackers during festivals.
Festivals can be celebrated without playing loud records or bands. Use the money to improve
your locality. No one but you will reap the benefits.
Public Places:
If you are in a restaurant and must smoke, do not sit in smoke-free zone.
Do not smoke at the bus stops or near children or pregnant women. Passive smoking is dangerous
for others.
A little ticket is not too much of a weight for your pocket. Do not throw it on roads.
Make it a point to stand in queues. Let children, pregnant women and elder people board the
bus or train first. Remember, tomorrow it could be your child or parents boarding that bus.
Cover your mouth while coughing or sneezing.
How to...
If you are with us so far, you no doubt must be saying to yourself "Sounds good enough to me.
But the question is who will bell the cat?". Of course, you alongwith your family, friends
and neighbours will bell the cat!!
Kids can be roped in to help out by putting up plays emphasizing importance of civic sense.
Boards and posters can be put up in the neighbourhood.
Fliers can be distributed.
All neighbourhood buildings can form a resident group to arrange door-to-door campaigns.
Similar groups can be formed in offices and in public transports where same set of people
travel daily.
Please remember that we all have to work together to make this a success ... and together we can!
Feedback :
If you have any
suggestions, we would like to hear from you.
