We come across numerous issues every day. Even before a solution or a way forward can be identified, a new problem arises. The ruling government has come up with infinite abhiyaans and projects to make the country a better place. Out of this prolific population, I would say there are just a handful of patriots and civilians who come forward and do their bit. The rest tend to say, “Koi faayda nahi, Iss desh ka kuch nahi ho sakta (It’s no use, nothing good can happen to this country).”
If we just slightly change our thought process and make ourselves responsible for every action that could impact the country in the long run, I am sure a positive change will be visible.
I have identified a few initiatives where I feel that if we contributed even a little, we’d help out the process and create necessary change. A slight change in our way of living could make a huge difference provided each one of us started being responsible for ourselves.
Adopt A Heritage Scheme
I am not even getting into what’s being covered by the media. I am sure you know it all. I am just going to leave you with a few questions to think about.
Beyond the adoption of various heritage monuments and spending money on them, do we personally take care of these historical treasures? The answer is no. We scribble romantic signatures all over their antique walls. We are preserving them but just degrading their value.
The media shares stories of how heritage monuments like the Taj Mahal are being spoiled. Can we show the world that we are responsible citizens who are doing our best by no longer scribbling on the walls of heritage monuments?
Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan
We have been talking of this since the times of Mahatma Gandhi. But today, even after 70 years of independence, the situation is not great in terms of cleanliness. We are too comfortable to fulfil our responsibilities towards keeping our country clean.
From what I’ve observed, there’s hardly been any change in our practices of open defecation and environmental cleanliness. We need to do better and use the toilets that are being built instead of taking the way out by defecating in the open.
It is still considered okay okay to chew gutka spit it out on roads and walls.
It is absolutely normal for my neighbours to throw their waste near the corner of my house simply because it’s not their house. Aren’t we all living on a common ground called Earth? Aren’t we supposed to keep it clean?
Are we not supposed to think about all this? We assume our only job is to pay taxes and the rest is up to the government.
I can keep talking about many other such issues that the country faces today, like rapes, riots, poor traffic, global warming, etc – the list is endless. But these problems aren’t just going to be solved through government schemes. What is required is a change in everyone’s mindset – even the mindsets of children because they are our future.
We have a lot of intellectual discussions and debates but do we really take action while we are alive? Do we really take into consideration the harm done daily by our complacency?
When we start thinking about these issues and start doing our bit towards solving these issues, only then can we look forward to a better India.