What is Social Responsibility?

The phrase Social Responsibility definitely needs no definition as most of us claim ourselves to be socially responsible. Yet, the question is, are we really being responsible citizens, of our society? of our country? By definition "Social responsibility is an ethical ideology or theory that an entity, be it an organization or individual, has an obligation to act to benefit society at large. Social responsibility is a duty every individual or organization has to perform so as to maintain a balance between the economy and the ecosystem (Definition Source: Wikipedia). Makes sense, doesn't it? when we talk about responsibility generally, we talk really big and use a lot of big words and phrases, but have we ever stopped to think if we ourselves are being responsible and teaching our children to be responsible? The answer is a big NO! Going by the chaos we see around us in our cities, towns, villages, everywhere, responsibility is definitely something that is severely lacking.

For instance, take example of our public places such as bus stations, railway stations, parks, libraries etc. Everywhere you will find trash, plastic cups, glasses, packages of chips etc. thrown carelessly when there is a perfectly functioning trash bin just 10 feet away. But is the person responsible to walk that distance and put the trash where it really should be put? This is what responsibility is about, it should come from within, a person must feel responsible to keep the place clean even though it is not his home. This type of behavior is found not just in uneducated and uncivilized people, but I have seen really well-heeled people doing that often. Remember the Mahindra Duro ad in which a couple on the scooter chases a car to return the water bottle thrown out by the well-heeled people in the car? I liked that ad a lot and hope that at least some people have taken a cue from it and stopped littering the roads in that detestable manner!

I really fail to understand that when we are so particular about keeping our homes clean, most women who do not work spend a lot of their time keeping their homes spotlessly clean and sparkling. And what do they do with the trash from their homes? They simply throw it out on the road! Detestable, isn't it? Now in most major cities, there is a proper system in place for collecting and disposing domestic waste. While we teach our children that they should not throw trash in public places, we have a number of textbooks on the subject, Moral Science, EVS, Civics etc. but when we ourselves are not following any of what we teach, the children do not learn anything about being responsible. We point out the flaws in our education system, but we forget that education is all about how we actually behave and children merely emulate us.

Ironic is the behavior of a father who is teaching his child the virtues of being responsible and then after his speech is over, leaning out of the car or bus window to spit out, spraying some hapless person with stinky red liquid that carries germs from his mouth, YUCK! Just reading this might make one feel sick and yet, this is the stuff that is being used to paint our cities and towns RED!! There have been laws passed against spitting in public places and public transport, but nothing seems to be deterring these folks. In some cities, some of these people do get caught and fined but the punishment is neither so heavy nor is it consistent to prevent it forever. The staircases of many residential buildings, all of government buildings are painted red with paan and gutkha. In many buildings, I have seen pictures of various Gods and Goddesses being installed at each corner of a staircase landing in order to prevent people from spitting. This is so disgusting and sickening that we have reduced the sanctity of our deities in such ridiculous manner. And this does not stop them from spitting, the hardened ones just aim either to the right or left of the picture taking care not to aim it at the picture!

What is the solution of this ever present problem? Is it education, being culturally refined? Looking at the wide variety of people who spit, it does not seem so. I have seen very well-dressed, educated, smart executive types spitting around. If it is not Paan or gutkha, it is their sputum that needs to be thrown out!

Spitting And Littering Should Be Heavily Fined

Unless and until there is a kind of punishment that would present some kind of loss to the individual, nothing will work. Imposing heavy fines, to the tune of minimum Rs 500 or so for a single act may probably work. Alternatively, making that person clean up his mess will definitely deter others from dirtying public places. In many cities, I have heard that spitting is a legally punishable offence but still there are evidences of spitting everywhere. Why? Because we simply do not have enough machinery to ensure that the laws are enforced and complied with. In countries like Singapore, people are actually scared of committing such offence, such is the extent of fear of being punished for littering and dirtying public places. In most European countries, the population is quite less as compared with that of India. In spite of that, they have enough manpower to ensure the
compliance and maintenance of rules and regulations with respect to keeping their cities clean. Why can't it be possible in a country like India where the population has crossed the 100-crore mark? There are thousands of educated youth that are unempoyed. Could Public Sanitation be made a priority and these youths be employed to ensure the cleanliness of our cities, towns and villages? It is not at all a fantastic or mere wishful thinking on my part, but with the right attitude and strong willpower, it can definitely be made possible. We hear of many foreigners who have made India their home or keep returning to India frequently to be able to conduct their own cleanliness drives in many cities and towns. Should not we be ashamed of that?

Severe Lack of Civic Sense

This speaks much about us in general. When we park our vehicles on the roadside, we do not care at all whether we are blocking someone's entry or exit point, whether it is a designated parking area or whether we are just getting in other people's way! No sir! I will only look for my own comfort and if in the process someone is inconvenienced, that is not my problem! I have seen this attitude widespread, especially when these people are buying vegetables and fruits from roadside vendors without bothering get their butts off of their two-wheelers! These people will take their own time selecting the best produce and haggling for the prices; and if there is long traffic snarl behind them, they are not in the least bit concerned or apologetic about it. Just in case someone were to tell them off, these people will only try to bully you or throw the choicest insults at you, as if you were the one who is responsible for the traffic snarl. These are the kind of people who will park their vehicles haphazardly on the pavements etc. so that it makes one think if the footpaths were built for them or for the pedestrians. Even if they park their vehicles in the designated parking areas, they will park them in disorderly manner, especially the two-wheelers are parked on the sidestands so that more
space is taken up. A common problem in parking of many societies. In my own society, there is only enough space for all the residents to park their vehicles so it is a rule that all two-wheelers be parked on the main stands. Yet, there are a couple of ladies who will invariably park their scooters on side stands and at such an angle that where four vehicles fit in, only two can be parked. So they have to be reminded every now and then, a tiresome work for the others.

There is another tendency related to parking, when people park in the No Parking areas, usually they ensure to leave one person standing near their vehicle so that the traffic police do not carry their vehicle away. Some people who are alone are not so fortunate. So it has become quite a big business in Pune. There are several trucks with boards on them declaring they are "On Police Duty'. Each such truck is fitted with a ramp and a hanging ope and with 3-4 youths and a traffic policeman in attendance. The moment they see vehicle that has been wrongly parked or double parked etc. they pick up the vehicle and carry it away in the truck. On the spot where the vehicle stood, they simply write in chalk the address of the police chowky where it can be recovered from. So this person has to keep aside all his important businesses and trek to the chowky, show his license and other papers, and pay the required fine. Usually, they get away for half the price demanded by the police, if they do not need or ask for the receipt. This business gains a momentum towards the end of each month. If all were to become responsible and parked their vehicles
properly, wouldn't all this nonsense be stopped?

Treat Public Property With Respect

In most other countries, public property is treated with respect but in India, no, public property is paid for from our own taxes so we treat it as if it belongs to us. That is why in the event of riots, strikes, public demonstrations etc. first things that are targeted is the public property. Buses and general public transportation are the ones that most commonly fall victim to public wrath. Buses, trains etc. are stoned, glasses broken, seats
torn and in a turn of uglier events, even set on fire! There are actually many other ways that people can resort to seek attention from the government, why does it always have to involve destruction of public property???

Being Sensitive and Respectful Towards Others

Social responsibility also should extend towards treating others with equal respect, no matter what class or economical background they belong to. This also includes treating women with respect. Currently, major cities of India including the capital city - New Delhi, are deemed unsafe for women to venture out on their own! A striking contrast to our claims of treating women with respect and equaling them to deities! Some cities become
unsafe for women after dark while New Delhi, even in broad daylight women are completely vulnerable and are victims to leery, lecherous behavior by men. Does this dwell well for us? For our future generations to come? Also, the way we treat older people, handicapped people, women who are pregnant or are carrying small babies, in public transports speaks volumes about our real worth. Young people hardly bother giving up seats for such people. There are generally no queues at bus stops, the scramble to get a seat in the bus or train is so horrible and insane that most people prefer to have their own vehicles, adding to traffic woes!

Isn't it time for us to take a hard look at ourselves and really see for us how utterly rubbish we have created around us? Unless we do it now, the damages that can now be repaired, will then become irreparable and irrevocable. But first we need to admit that we are not taking responsibility as we should really be doing. All we do is complain about how the government is not doing its job and how rotten the system has become. Change yourself first, take responsibility of your own actions and start doing what you must - others will automatically follow you. Think twice before you break the next traffic signal. Think twice before you throw a bottle out of car window! If each one of starts behaving properly, slowly and surely things will change!


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