- Indian citizens are known to have dual personalities because certain characteristics emerge differently in the country and change dramatically when traveling abroad. The majority of us are familiar with this phenomenon, as years of conditioning in an environment where everything and anything can be compromised have largely defined us. Yes, India is a diverse country with various regions, languages, dialects, religions, ethnicities, and cultures spread across a large landmass. Every region has a fascinating diversity that only adds to the nation’s overall aura and mysticism. No one is complaining, however, because our country is regarded as the forerunner of ancient but relevant traditions with no boundaries.
PC: Vanita Viswanath
- Any foreign national visiting our country, on the other hand, would be perplexed by the utter disrespect and lack of civic sense displayed by the vast majority of us as we go about our daily lives. Did someone say we’re only like this? Yes, it perfectly reflects our lax attitude towards adhering to discipline and obeying the rule of the law of the land. Despite incredible progress on many fronts, our society remains mired in an anachronistic patriarchal and misogynistic mindset. Men continue to have an advantage over women, even as the push for gender neutrality and equality gains traction. Yes, men make the majority of decisions, with women having only a marginal representation.
- We, as a society, also lack a sense of responsibility and respect for the rule of law, which we happily disregard. The impunity with which we violate the law is astounding in and of itself. Consider lane discipline on India’s typically chaotic roads. How many of us would diligently observe lane discipline while running errands? Jumping signals, dangerous overtaking, overspeeding, and general disregard for orderly commuting on congested roads are all common sights. And, as is customary, we know what happens when traffic cops stop us for defying the rules. We bribe and get away with no consequences from the police. Why should cops be tolerant of violations? You understand why!
PC: Dr. Sandeep Krishnamurthy
- Such blatant indiscretions would make any rational person blush with embarrassment. But not us, because this is our way of life. Surprisingly, when Indians travel abroad, they are all law-abiding citizens who will strictly adhere to the rules. There were no questions. It all comes down to strict enforcement of laws, which we tend to dilute and circumvent without much thought to the negative consequences. Did someone say the education system is also to blame for the obvious lack of civic sense? Indeed. Consider what we could accomplish if we all practiced basic discipline in our daily lives and demonstrated the responsibilities that are expected of us. Can we at least begin to accept personal responsibility for our actions?
