It has been long since I updated my blog. Not that I did not have the time, but did not find a good topic to write about. In fact, I actually wrote so many posts in these days, but did not post any of them as I felt it was not worth publishing. Now I finally write this bit, hoping that it makes some sense at least for a few people.
Each one of us always think, "I am proud to be an Indian". Of course, we need to be proud about the ancient India, the geographical area it has been spread across, Indian heritage, Biodiversity... ...Have to mention about India's glorious culture, along with the Architecture, Art, Literature and Sports. We are also producing the maximum number of scientists and other professionals in the field of Science and Technology.
Each one of us always think, "I am proud to be an Indian". Of course, we need to be proud about the ancient India, the geographical area it has been spread across, Indian heritage, Biodiversity... ...Have to mention about India's glorious culture, along with the Architecture, Art, Literature and Sports. We are also producing the maximum number of scientists and other professionals in the field of Science and Technology.
This is the place where you find 'unity in diversity'. No doubt, India's population is our strength. But, unfortunately it is also our weakness. With over 1.22 billion people across 3.28 million square kilometers, it is so difficult to educate people about so many issues or make them aware about some social responsibilities. When I say social responsibilities, they are really not big things what I am talking about but the minuscule things which each citizen of India is accountable and responsible for, in his/her everyday life. We all know that things like keeping your environment clean, following the traffic rules are the most basic things we can do. These small things are more of a 'common sense' than a rocket science. But, why don't people follow such simple things!
Few things we can take into consideration are:
I know that most of us are definitely aware of the above mentioned factors. But, how many of us really follow these things is a debatable question. Most of the people are always ignorant of some facts. First of all, let us see who all might follow these basic things and who might not. Can we say the literates follow and not the illiterates? India's adult literacy percentage is around 74% as of 2011 reports, and do you think they can follow the basic rules and regulations pertaining to saving our environment and our future? According to me, if the 74% of the population are abide with all these things, then India today, would definitely be a much better place to live in.
Few things we can take into consideration are:
- Do not litter or spit in public places
- Follow traffic rules
- Do not waste water and electricity
- Do not destroy plants and trees
- Do not write or carve on rocks and trees
- Keep all tourist places clean
- Do not harm wild animals
- Grow trees
- Do car pooling
- Try to use public transport at least once a week
I know that most of us are definitely aware of the above mentioned factors. But, how many of us really follow these things is a debatable question. Most of the people are always ignorant of some facts. First of all, let us see who all might follow these basic things and who might not. Can we say the literates follow and not the illiterates? India's adult literacy percentage is around 74% as of 2011 reports, and do you think they can follow the basic rules and regulations pertaining to saving our environment and our future? According to me, if the 74% of the population are abide with all these things, then India today, would definitely be a much better place to live in.
Wait, wait, wait.. Before we jump into conclusions, haven't we heard that "Literates are those who can just read and write. But, educated are those
who know, what to read and write". So, should we say that educated people of India are responsible for building a better India (Let us consider all matriculates to be educated here). Does the basic formal education teach us the DOs and DON'Ts of nature and environment? But again, Albert Einstein says "The only thing interfering with my learning is my education".
So, it is neither literacy nor education that proves to be better than each other, but here, it is the individual who is liable for his/her stupidity or supremacy. I agree that social messages won't be showered through rains to everyone and there should be someone who takes up the responsibility to educate people, make them aware of what is right and what is not.
I was discussing the same with two of my friends about how to go about and spread the awareness amongst people and if we do so, how many people will actually take some initiatives. One of my friend told that it should be done in a grass root level and hence the children should be educated first. Volunteers should go to schools and educate them about the importance of growing trees, water conservation and natural resources. Hygiene and keeping our environment clean are the other aspects which have to be focused. I agree that today's children are our future and they are also responsible enough to listen and understand, what is being told to them. If that is one measure we can take, what are the others?
My other friend gave an example of an incident that had happened a few years back. "There was a group of tourists who were feeding meat to the crocodiles in a national park. A forest officer tried to stop them from doing so, when the drunk tourists mercilessly beat him to death". He says when this the case, who would want to give any kind of advice to anyone! Albeit, this is not the case everywhere with everyone, we need to think of measures to reach maximum number of people.
The government produced a few Public Service Announcements (PSA) a few months back on TV. But not all private TV channels aired them. When Government has 'power', it should make PSAs compulsory in all the private and government channels, Radios and Newspapers. Other than that, we as individual citizens of India, should take pledge to first follow these basic practices in our day-to-day lives and then spread the cause among people around us to constitute a greater country.
P.S: Individuals can reach people and increase awareness among them in various methods. It can be through word of mouth, by working in an NGO or even by conducting random workshops and seminars in schools and colleges.
So, it is neither literacy nor education that proves to be better than each other, but here, it is the individual who is liable for his/her stupidity or supremacy. I agree that social messages won't be showered through rains to everyone and there should be someone who takes up the responsibility to educate people, make them aware of what is right and what is not.
I was discussing the same with two of my friends about how to go about and spread the awareness amongst people and if we do so, how many people will actually take some initiatives. One of my friend told that it should be done in a grass root level and hence the children should be educated first. Volunteers should go to schools and educate them about the importance of growing trees, water conservation and natural resources. Hygiene and keeping our environment clean are the other aspects which have to be focused. I agree that today's children are our future and they are also responsible enough to listen and understand, what is being told to them. If that is one measure we can take, what are the others?
My other friend gave an example of an incident that had happened a few years back. "There was a group of tourists who were feeding meat to the crocodiles in a national park. A forest officer tried to stop them from doing so, when the drunk tourists mercilessly beat him to death". He says when this the case, who would want to give any kind of advice to anyone! Albeit, this is not the case everywhere with everyone, we need to think of measures to reach maximum number of people.
The government produced a few Public Service Announcements (PSA) a few months back on TV. But not all private TV channels aired them. When Government has 'power', it should make PSAs compulsory in all the private and government channels, Radios and Newspapers. Other than that, we as individual citizens of India, should take pledge to first follow these basic practices in our day-to-day lives and then spread the cause among people around us to constitute a greater country.
P.S: Individuals can reach people and increase awareness among them in various methods. It can be through word of mouth, by working in an NGO or even by conducting random workshops and seminars in schools and colleges.
