an aunt of mine recently visited Malaysia Singapore and Thailand her
Malaysia Singapore and Thailand her
Malaysia Singapore and Thailand her first time outside India a month after
first time outside India a month after
first time outside India a month after her return I asked her about her
her return I asked her about her
her return I asked her about her strongest impressions from this trip she
strongest impressions from this trip she
strongest impressions from this trip she said their cities are so much cleaner
said their cities are so much cleaner
said their cities are so much cleaner people behave so much better in public
people behave so much better in public
people behave so much better in public spaces they follow the rules hum Cubs
spaces they follow the rules hum Cubs
spaces they follow the rules hum Cubs who the Ranga she asked when will we
who the Ranga she asked when will we
who the Ranga she asked when will we improve what my aunt was getting at is
improve what my aunt was getting at is
improve what my aunt was getting at is something a lot of us have known for a
something a lot of us have known for a
something a lot of us have known for a while that we Indians are sorely lacking
while that we Indians are sorely lacking
while that we Indians are sorely lacking in Civic sense by Civic sense I mean
in Civic sense by Civic sense I mean
in Civic sense by Civic sense I mean public behavior that’s socially
public behavior that’s socially
public behavior that’s socially responsible and considerate to others
responsible and considerate to others
responsible and considerate to others examples of our lack of Civic sense are
examples of our lack of Civic sense are
examples of our lack of Civic sense are everywhere just look at how we drive
everywhere just look at how we drive
everywhere just look at how we drive without lane discipline in the wrong
without lane discipline in the wrong
without lane discipline in the wrong direction we honk needlessly useful beam
direction we honk needlessly useful beam
direction we honk needlessly useful beam at night we don’t stop at registry and
at night we don’t stop at registry and
at night we don’t stop at registry and crossings or even at red lights few of
crossings or even at red lights few of
crossings or even at red lights few of us make room for passing ambulances we
us make room for passing ambulances we
us make room for passing ambulances we may just have the wildest traffic in the
may just have the wildest traffic in the
may just have the wildest traffic in the world which is reflected in our casualty
world which is reflected in our casualty
world which is reflected in our casualty rate that’s five times higher than the
rate that’s five times higher than the
rate that’s five times higher than the global average or look at how we park
global average or look at how we park
global average or look at how we park and use our sidewalks or what we do to
and use our sidewalks or what we do to
and use our sidewalks or what we do to the walls of our cities our infamous
the walls of our cities our infamous
the walls of our cities our infamous queueing etiquette how we litter our
queueing etiquette how we litter our
queueing etiquette how we litter our streets and dump construction waste
streets and dump construction waste
streets and dump construction waste right outside our posh apartments how we
right outside our posh apartments how we
right outside our posh apartments how we burn trash and pollute our air a very
burn trash and pollute our air a very
burn trash and pollute our air a very common sight across India how we
common sight across India how we
common sight across India how we contaminate our beaches lakes and rivers
contaminate our beaches lakes and rivers
contaminate our beaches lakes and rivers here is a picture that sums up what I’m
here is a picture that sums up what I’m
here is a picture that sums up what I’m getting at this is the border between
getting at this is the border between
getting at this is the border between India and boot
India and boot
India and boot one side is India the other Bhutan I’ll
one side is India the other Bhutan I’ll
one side is India the other Bhutan I’ll let you figure out which is which now
let you figure out which is which now
let you figure out which is which now there certainly are other aspects to
there certainly are other aspects to
there certainly are other aspects to civic sense such as paying your full
civic sense such as paying your full
civic sense such as paying your full share of taxes not bribing being
share of taxes not bribing being
share of taxes not bribing being punctual not discriminating against your
punctual not discriminating against your
punctual not discriminating against your fellow citizens based on caste gender
fellow citizens based on caste gender
fellow citizens based on caste gender religion and so on but today I am
religion and so on but today I am
religion and so on but today I am focusing on a narrower subset on general
focusing on a narrower subset on general
focusing on a narrower subset on general untargeted behaviors and public spaces
untargeted behaviors and public spaces
untargeted behaviors and public spaces that are also constant irritants when we
that are also constant irritants when we
that are also constant irritants when we go out so why is Civic sense important
go out so why is Civic sense important
go out so why is Civic sense important because it makes our cities more livable
because it makes our cities more livable
because it makes our cities more livable when was the last time you went out for
when was the last time you went out for
when was the last time you went out for something as simple as a walk-in go down
something as simple as a walk-in go down
something as simple as a walk-in go down I mean who wants to deal with all the
I mean who wants to deal with all the
I mean who wants to deal with all the eyesores bad smells and smog higher
eyesores bad smells and smog higher
eyesores bad smells and smog higher Civic sense also leads directly to a
Civic sense also leads directly to a
Civic sense also leads directly to a lower incidence of infectious and other
lower incidence of infectious and other
lower incidence of infectious and other diseases accidental injuries and deaths
diseases accidental injuries and deaths
diseases accidental injuries and deaths and finally higher Civic sense leads to
and finally higher Civic sense leads to
and finally higher Civic sense leads to greater social trust and cooperation
greater social trust and cooperation
greater social trust and cooperation which is good for economic productivity
which is good for economic productivity
which is good for economic productivity and growth
and growth
and growth now this concern for Civic sense is not
now this concern for Civic sense is not
now this concern for Civic sense is not new in India many individuals and
new in India many individuals and
new in India many individuals and organizations have tried to raise it
organizations have tried to raise it
organizations have tried to raise it what I’d say though is it’s an old
what I’d say though is it’s an old
what I’d say though is it’s an old project that needs fresh energy and
project that needs fresh energy and
project that needs fresh energy and scale especially in light of the massive
scale especially in light of the massive
scale especially in light of the massive and largely unplanned growth of urban
and largely unplanned growth of urban
and largely unplanned growth of urban India so who do we blame for our general
India so who do we blame for our general
India so who do we blame for our general lack of Civic sense and the state of our
lack of Civic sense and the state of our
lack of Civic sense and the state of our cities we blame others not like us such
cities we blame others not like us such
cities we blame others not like us such as poor migrants from rural areas we
as poor migrants from rural areas we
as poor migrants from rural areas we also blame the government and yes the
also blame the government and yes the
also blame the government and yes the government has an important role to play
government has an important role to play
government has an important role to play it needs to improve our roads waste
it needs to improve our roads waste
it needs to improve our roads waste management public transportation it
management public transportation it
management public transportation it needs to make sure that a proper driving
needs to make sure that a proper driving
needs to make sure that a proper driving test precedes every driving licence it
test precedes every driving licence it
test precedes every driving licence it needs to invest in smart policies and
needs to invest in smart policies and
needs to invest in smart policies and good
good
good urban design yes that’s it given our
urban design yes that’s it given our
urban design yes that’s it given our urban governments need to do more and we
urban governments need to do more and we
urban governments need to do more and we have to increase and keep up that
have to increase and keep up that
have to increase and keep up that pressure curiously we don’t tend to
pressure curiously we don’t tend to
pressure curiously we don’t tend to blame ourselves very much but if we
blame ourselves very much but if we
blame ourselves very much but if we honestly looked at ourselves in the
honestly looked at ourselves in the
honestly looked at ourselves in the mirror we might notice that we you and I
mirror we might notice that we you and I
mirror we might notice that we you and I caused a lot of the problems we complain
caused a lot of the problems we complain
caused a lot of the problems we complain about after all who can just saw roads
about after all who can just saw roads
about after all who can just saw roads and pollutes our air who runs diesel
and pollutes our air who runs diesel
and pollutes our air who runs diesel cars and gensets
cars and gensets
cars and gensets and avoids public transportation and
and avoids public transportation and
and avoids public transportation and carpooling who generates the plastic
carpooling who generates the plastic
carpooling who generates the plastic waste and leaves behind construction
waste and leaves behind construction
waste and leaves behind construction rubble who parks illegally on sidewalks
rubble who parks illegally on sidewalks
rubble who parks illegally on sidewalks who breaks our traffic laws indeed who
who breaks our traffic laws indeed who
who breaks our traffic laws indeed who causes so many of our urban problems if
causes so many of our urban problems if
causes so many of our urban problems if not us clearly the government can’t fix
not us clearly the government can’t fix
not us clearly the government can’t fix everything the government too is made up
everything the government too is made up
everything the government too is made up of people like us who lack Civic sense
of people like us who lack Civic sense
of people like us who lack Civic sense we really need to ask our smart cities
we really need to ask our smart cities
we really need to ask our smart cities even possible without smart citizens who
even possible without smart citizens who
even possible without smart citizens who displace Civic sense so why do we
displace Civic sense so why do we
displace Civic sense so why do we Indians lack Civic sense we are no
Indians lack Civic sense we are no
Indians lack Civic sense we are no different from other humans so it has to
different from other humans so it has to
different from other humans so it has to be something in our culture and
be something in our culture and
be something in our culture and upbringing that accounts for the
upbringing that accounts for the
upbringing that accounts for the difference what might these factors be
difference what might these factors be
difference what might these factors be I’ll suggest for the first our flawed
I’ll suggest for the first our flawed
I’ll suggest for the first our flawed socialization in childhood especially at
socialization in childhood especially at
socialization in childhood especially at home we are not taught to pick up after
home we are not taught to pick up after
home we are not taught to pick up after ourselves we grow up expecting someone
ourselves we grow up expecting someone
ourselves we grow up expecting someone else to do our dirty work whether it’s
else to do our dirty work whether it’s
else to do our dirty work whether it’s moms or males
moms or males
moms or males I certainly had never cleaned the full
I certainly had never cleaned the full
I certainly had never cleaned the full load of dishes or a toilet until I went
load of dishes or a toilet until I went
load of dishes or a toilet until I went to the United States in my 20s we also
to the United States in my 20s we also
to the United States in my 20s we also lack dignity of labor and look down on
lack dignity of labor and look down on
lack dignity of labor and look down on manual work especially dirty work which
manual work especially dirty work which
manual work especially dirty work which then stigmatizes those who do it this
then stigmatizes those who do it this
then stigmatizes those who do it this needs to change the second factor is our
needs to change the second factor is our
needs to change the second factor is our education system which doesn’t teach us
education system which doesn’t teach us
education system which doesn’t teach us about being good citizens about our
about being good citizens about our
about being good citizens about our rights and responsibilities sensitivity
rights and responsibilities sensitivity
rights and responsibilities sensitivity to the environment or even things like
to the environment or even things like
to the environment or even things like the impose
the impose
the impose of free speech social justice and gender
of free speech social justice and gender
of free speech social justice and gender equality the third factor I think is the
equality the third factor I think is the
equality the third factor I think is the high levels of inequality and hierarchy
high levels of inequality and hierarchy
high levels of inequality and hierarchy in our society of both wealth and status
in our society of both wealth and status
in our society of both wealth and status as in the caste system this divides
as in the caste system this divides
as in the caste system this divides people and impedes a shared sense of the
people and impedes a shared sense of the
people and impedes a shared sense of the Commons and finally I think we have
Commons and finally I think we have
Commons and finally I think we have internalized very low expectations of
internalized very low expectations of
internalized very low expectations of how clean and functional our public
how clean and functional our public
how clean and functional our public spaces should look like
spaces should look like
spaces should look like now you might blame poverty and
now you might blame poverty and
now you might blame poverty and illiteracy for this but I have traveled
illiteracy for this but I have traveled
illiteracy for this but I have traveled through poorer and less literate parts
through poorer and less literate parts
through poorer and less literate parts of sub-saharan Africa that display
of sub-saharan Africa that display
of sub-saharan Africa that display better Civic sense than India so poverty
better Civic sense than India so poverty
better Civic sense than India so poverty is a factor but it’s not an adequate
is a factor but it’s not an adequate
is a factor but it’s not an adequate explanation
explanation
explanation besides middle-class Indians likes to
besides middle-class Indians likes to
besides middle-class Indians likes to make sense too so our collective
make sense too so our collective
make sense too so our collective expectations really need to change so
expectations really need to change so
expectations really need to change so what is it that separates countries that
what is it that separates countries that
what is it that separates countries that have high Civic sense from those that
have high Civic sense from those that
have high Civic sense from those that don’t what have they done that we
don’t what have they done that we
don’t what have they done that we haven’t I’ll I’ll suggest for areas
haven’t I’ll I’ll suggest for areas
haven’t I’ll I’ll suggest for areas where Indians lag behind what I’m
where Indians lag behind what I’m
where Indians lag behind what I’m calling the for ease with examples of
calling the for ease with examples of
calling the for ease with examples of what we can do to catch up a first is
what we can do to catch up a first is
what we can do to catch up a first is educated now urban Civic sense is not an
educated now urban Civic sense is not an
educated now urban Civic sense is not an innate skill it needs to be cultivated
innate skill it needs to be cultivated
innate skill it needs to be cultivated by teaching civic responsibility and
by teaching civic responsibility and
by teaching civic responsibility and environmental awareness to urban kids
environmental awareness to urban kids
environmental awareness to urban kids this needs to begin at home with parents
this needs to begin at home with parents
this needs to begin at home with parents leading by example how about a Civic
leading by example how about a Civic
leading by example how about a Civic sense course in school or maybe hosted
sense course in school or maybe hosted
sense course in school or maybe hosted by a resident Welfare Association not a
by a resident Welfare Association not a
by a resident Welfare Association not a dry course with a textbook but a
dry course with a textbook but a
dry course with a textbook but a hands-on participatory course where kids
hands-on participatory course where kids
hands-on participatory course where kids learn about their rights and
learn about their rights and
learn about their rights and responsibilities about waste segregation
responsibilities about waste segregation
responsibilities about waste segregation recycling conservation of energy and
recycling conservation of energy and
recycling conservation of energy and water planting trees and so on in fact
water planting trees and so on in fact
water planting trees and so on in fact an organization in Bangalore called
an organization in Bangalore called
an organization in Bangalore called children’s movement for civic awareness
children’s movement for civic awareness
children’s movement for civic awareness works with schools to host civic clubs
works with schools to host civic clubs
works with schools to host civic clubs where kids learn such things by doing
where kids learn such things by doing
where kids learn such things by doing they grow up feeling like agents of
they grow up feeling like agents of
they grow up feeling like agents of change with kids you also get a
change with kids you also get a
change with kids you also get a multiplier effect they go home and teach
multiplier effect they go home and teach
multiplier effect they go home and teach their elders and given how young our
their elders and given how young our
their elders and given how young our country is this is the perfect
country is this is the perfect
country is this is the perfect demographic to focus on another very
demographic to focus on another very
demographic to focus on another very effective strategy is Public Interest
effective strategy is Public Interest
effective strategy is Public Interest ads on a large scale in the 1970s the
ads on a large scale in the 1970s the
ads on a large scale in the 1970s the United States transformed habits through
United States transformed habits through
United States transformed habits through emotionally stirring ads on smoking
emotionally stirring ads on smoking
emotionally stirring ads on smoking littering fire safety and so on now some
littering fire safety and so on now some
littering fire safety and so on now some of this is happening with swachh bharat
of this is happening with swachh bharat
of this is happening with swachh bharat ads but far from enough we citizens own
ads but far from enough we citizens own
ads but far from enough we citizens own our airwaves why can’t we mandate up to
our airwaves why can’t we mandate up to
our airwaves why can’t we mandate up to one percent of air time for public
one percent of air time for public
one percent of air time for public interest ads on all TV and radio
interest ads on all TV and radio
interest ads on all TV and radio channels imagine youth a cons in these
channels imagine youth a cons in these
channels imagine youth a cons in these ads making it cool to do the right thing
ads making it cool to do the right thing
ads making it cool to do the right thing we could also make such as an area of
we could also make such as an area of
we could also make such as an area of corporate social responsibility or CSR
corporate social responsibility or CSR
corporate social responsibility or CSR funds the second key area is in
funds the second key area is in
funds the second key area is in engineering as in better urban design
engineering as in better urban design
engineering as in better urban design good urban design makes it easier for
good urban design makes it easier for
good urban design makes it easier for people to do the right thing such urban
people to do the right thing such urban
people to do the right thing such urban design methodically invests in things
design methodically invests in things
design methodically invests in things like lots of dust bins with recycling
like lots of dust bins with recycling
like lots of dust bins with recycling options clean frequent and well Mart
options clean frequent and well Mart
options clean frequent and well Mart public toilets throughout the city
public toilets throughout the city
public toilets throughout the city multiple modes of public transportation
multiple modes of public transportation
multiple modes of public transportation that are sensibly interlinked clear
that are sensibly interlinked clear
that are sensibly interlinked clear signage on roads designated parking
signage on roads designated parking
signage on roads designated parking spaces usable sidewalks so we might feel
spaces usable sidewalks so we might feel
spaces usable sidewalks so we might feel like walking that half a kilometer to a
like walking that half a kilometer to a
like walking that half a kilometer to a bus stop or a metro station this is not
bus stop or a metro station this is not
bus stop or a metro station this is not rocket science in fact we can learn from
rocket science in fact we can learn from
rocket science in fact we can learn from our own Delhi Metro Rail system it’s
our own Delhi Metro Rail system it’s
our own Delhi Metro Rail system it’s very clean isn’t it the same people who
very clean isn’t it the same people who
very clean isn’t it the same people who litter outside behave differently inside
litter outside behave differently inside
litter outside behave differently inside the metro stations why is that I think
the metro stations why is that I think
the metro stations why is that I think one reason is that there is a cost to
one reason is that there is a cost to
one reason is that there is a cost to being the first person to litter in a
being the first person to litter in a
being the first person to litter in a clean space the metro also puts out
clean space the metro also puts out
clean space the metro also puts out friendly reminders to do the right thing
friendly reminders to do the right thing
friendly reminders to do the right thing such as letting people disembark before
such as letting people disembark before
such as letting people disembark before getting on do not eat on trains to offer
getting on do not eat on trains to offer
getting on do not eat on trains to offer your seat to others who might need it
your seat to others who might need it
your seat to others who might need it more all of this has the effect of
more all of this has the effect of
more all of this has the effect of promoting good behavior and discouraging
promoting good behavior and discouraging
promoting good behavior and discouraging bad behavior and I would say good urban
bad behavior and I would say good urban
bad behavior and I would say good urban design does this in general it promotes
design does this in general it promotes
design does this in general it promotes good behavior and discourages bad
good behavior and discourages bad
good behavior and discourages bad behavior
behavior
behavior the third key area is in force as in law
the third key area is in force as in law
the third key area is in force as in law enforcement how often is someone in
enforcement how often is someone in
enforcement how often is someone in Gurgaon penalized for jumping a red
Gurgaon penalized for jumping a red
Gurgaon penalized for jumping a red light or driving in the wrong direction
light or driving in the wrong direction
light or driving in the wrong direction for littering burning trash dumping
for littering burning trash dumping
for littering burning trash dumping construction waste for spitting and
construction waste for spitting and
construction waste for spitting and urinating on walls not very often right
urinating on walls not very often right
urinating on walls not very often right the truth is that a credible deterrent
the truth is that a credible deterrent
the truth is that a credible deterrent is also needed to change behaviors and
is also needed to change behaviors and
is also needed to change behaviors and some of our cities are figuring this out
some of our cities are figuring this out
some of our cities are figuring this out the thani Municipal Corporation now has
the thani Municipal Corporation now has
the thani Municipal Corporation now has safai Marshalls who issue on-the-spot
safai Marshalls who issue on-the-spot
safai Marshalls who issue on-the-spot fines for certain violations a mobile
fines for certain violations a mobile
fines for certain violations a mobile court does the same in Raj code Chennai
court does the same in Raj code Chennai
court does the same in Raj code Chennai and Chandigarh have similar initiatives
and Chandigarh have similar initiatives
and Chandigarh have similar initiatives this needs to become much more common
this needs to become much more common
this needs to become much more common and we have to put pressure on our local
and we have to put pressure on our local
and we have to put pressure on our local governments to do so and fourth I would
governments to do so and fourth I would
governments to do so and fourth I would say engage the citizen by this I mean
say engage the citizen by this I mean
say engage the citizen by this I mean citizen activism that’s really important
citizen activism that’s really important
citizen activism that’s really important to cut through the apathy and cynicism
to cut through the apathy and cynicism
to cut through the apathy and cynicism that surrounds us a lot of us are very
that surrounds us a lot of us are very
that surrounds us a lot of us are very concerned about the state of our cities
concerned about the state of our cities
concerned about the state of our cities but when we look around we see urban
but when we look around we see urban
but when we look around we see urban administrators who lack the will the
administrators who lack the will the
administrators who lack the will the incentives or the knowledge to make a
incentives or the knowledge to make a
incentives or the knowledge to make a difference so we citizens need to step
difference so we citizens need to step
difference so we citizens need to step up and push for change and we can really
up and push for change and we can really
up and push for change and we can really amplify a voice through collective
amplify a voice through collective
amplify a voice through collective action for example a group of volunteers
action for example a group of volunteers
action for example a group of volunteers got together and began cleaning a
got together and began cleaning a
got together and began cleaning a stretch of beach in Mumbai which sent a
stretch of beach in Mumbai which sent a
stretch of beach in Mumbai which sent a message to the administration another
message to the administration another
message to the administration another citizens movement called I am Gurgaon
citizens movement called I am Gurgaon
citizens movement called I am Gurgaon leads the planting and maintenance of
leads the planting and maintenance of
leads the planting and maintenance of the large Aravalli biodiversity Park the
the large Aravalli biodiversity Park the
the large Aravalli biodiversity Park the raghida movement has pioneered the
raghida movement has pioneered the
raghida movement has pioneered the concept of car free days in multiple
concept of car free days in multiple
concept of car free days in multiple cities when certain streets are used
cities when certain streets are used
cities when certain streets are used only for walking and cycling there are
only for walking and cycling there are
only for walking and cycling there are many such organizations we can join or
many such organizations we can join or
many such organizations we can join or we can start new ones arguably easier in
we can start new ones arguably easier in
we can start new ones arguably easier in this age of social media we can also
this age of social media we can also
this age of social media we can also build and use Civic sense apps such as
build and use Civic sense apps such as
build and use Civic sense apps such as Java but low or change the air to raise
Java but low or change the air to raise
Java but low or change the air to raise public awareness and to put pressure on
public awareness and to put pressure on
public awareness and to put pressure on our local governments to act as
our local governments to act as
our local governments to act as responsible citizens we should also
responsible citizens we should also
responsible citizens we should also avoid turning a blind eye to bad
avoid turning a blind eye to bad
avoid turning a blind eye to bad behavior when we see it we can politely
behavior when we see it we can politely
behavior when we see it we can politely request explain or set an example for
request explain or set an example for
request explain or set an example for others there are many things we can
others there are many things we can
others there are many things we can change in our daily lives that will make
change in our daily lives that will make
change in our daily lives that will make a difference
a difference
a difference no one from above is going to come and
no one from above is going to come and
no one from above is going to come and save us we have to initiate the change
save us we have to initiate the change
save us we have to initiate the change ourselves a higher level of citizen
ourselves a higher level of citizen
ourselves a higher level of citizen awareness and activism exist in all
awareness and activism exist in all
awareness and activism exist in all countries with Civic sense we envy on
countries with Civic sense we envy on
countries with Civic sense we envy on our foreign travels cultivating Civic
our foreign travels cultivating Civic
our foreign travels cultivating Civic sense is above all a huge consciousness
sense is above all a huge consciousness
sense is above all a huge consciousness raising exercise it’s a work of inner
raising exercise it’s a work of inner
raising exercise it’s a work of inner transformation it both complements and
transformation it both complements and
transformation it both complements and strengthens governance they reinforce
strengthens governance they reinforce
strengthens governance they reinforce each other
each other
each other Civic sense is essential if we want to
Civic sense is essential if we want to
Civic sense is essential if we want to make our cities livable and sustainable
make our cities livable and sustainable
make our cities livable and sustainable and for that each of us needs to look
and for that each of us needs to look
and for that each of us needs to look within and ask what can I do to improve
within and ask what can I do to improve
within and ask what can I do to improve the Civic sense around me thank you
the Civic sense around me thank you
the Civic sense around me thank you [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
”
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