HAPPY REPUBLIC DAY - A Reminder & A Resolution

Posted on January 26, 2004 15:19 PM EST

Happy Republic Day

I wish you a very happy Indian Republic Day with a reminder and a resolution. The reminder is special and extraordinary. The resolution is absurdly easy.

First the reminder

Let us remember with respect our Constitution which forms the basis for governance of the most vibrant and diverse democracy in the world. There are no doubt areas where the Constitution can be improved, but it must be admired and appreciated for helping us define and hold together our nation. And of course, the more we respect it, the better we will be able to improve it.

Let us also remember with affection the union of states that form our country. Almost every one of our states has it's own language, culture, cuisine, clothing, etc. There are 5000+ dialects in the whole world and over 1000 of them are in India alone. The diversity in all walks of life in our country is mind-boggling. Yet we come together to form this remarkable nation that continues to grow from strength to strength. Regardless of occasional flare-up here and there, we continue to be a bright beacon of the principle of Unity in Diversity for ourselves as well as for the world. This is special and extraordinary. We must be proud of it. This is precious and fragile. We must protect and nurture it. For now, let's remember it.

I have no doubt that our Constitution and our union of states will help India achieve once again her rightful great place in the world.

Now the resolution

The resolution I am proposing is absurdly easy. I am not proposing (although I do encourage) anything tough like leading a spotless life or taking a grandstand against corruption in daily life or becoming a public hero / heroine or making a big donation. I am not proposing anything that will even inconvenience you much. Nothing of the sort. All I am proposing is an enhanced civic sense.

Basic civic sense must be pretty easy for all of us to adapt, and many of us do follow them day to day. Civic sense includes, but is not limited to, not littering public places, following general rules like traffic rules, etc., maintaining considerate and disciplined queues where required, not vandalizing or defacing public property, so on and so forth. I propose enhanced civic sense. I define enhanced civic sense to be a more conscious adaptation of civic public behavior and ensuring compliance by family and friends. I am not asking us to stop some stranger from violating norms of civic behavior (kudos if you do). All I am asking is not to let our friends and family violate them. This we all can do. The reality is that laws, punishments and fines the government passes can never be as effective enforcers of civic behavior as the nudge and push of peer approval and acceptance. If we all disapprove and refuse to accept bad civic behavior by our peers, civic sense in India will become as good as in any developed countries.

In Aristotle's time and place, every soldier took an oath when he entered into armed service: to ensure that his country would be a better place when he left the service, than it was when he entered it. We may or may not be able to make our country a better place. We can at least help keep her clean and organized well.

Have a terrific year.