By Narayan Prasad Mishra
We see in society that some people are loving, helpful, kind, cooperative, empathetic, etc. At the same time, we also see that others are just the opposite — unhelpful, cruel, self-centered, selfish, etc. In the same way, we see some are very active, dynamic, intelligent, hard-working, creative, etc. Unfortunately, we also see people who are inactive, lazy, woodenhead, naive, etc. We also see the people who are crooked and harmful and who can do any criminal act for their gain if they get an opportunity. Giving attention to all these things, the government of any nation makes laws, rules, and regulations to control the wrongdoings in society. Accordingly, if anyone violates the laws, they get punishment. We also call it the rule of law. Undoubtedly, the rule of law is the heart of democracy. In a democratic country, no one would be above the law. We cannot imagine a democracy without a rule of law.
We know that in our society, we find people who are involved in a variety of crimes — stealing, looting, corruption, killing, bribing, exploiting, suppressing, etc despite the fear of laws. They do crimes when they think they can escape from the law. At the same time, we also see the people who never knowingly do wrong things, not because of the fear of the law but because of their conscience, heart’s goodness, and noble qualities. From this point, we can say that we have to have more civilized and civic-sensed people than law-abiding citizens in the country for democracy to function effectively.
Ours is a democratic country. Perhaps we may not have less democratic rights and duties written in our constitution than in the constitutions of other democratic countries — India, Japan, Great Britain, or the USA. I am undoubtedly sure that we have a much less democratic culture and civic sense in our country compared to many of these other nations. Because of that, our political parties would even support the criminals when they see advantages in their election. On the other hand, people very often vote for candidates with criminal histories and condemnable behavior due to the influence of relation, money, fear, or selfish motives. So, we have a democracy in name rather than in practice.
When I observe some noticeable things in the USA where I am living now, things that can exist only with civic sense, a sense of responsibility, and a democratic culture, I often remember and compare civilized culture and uncivilized culture. In this context, I want to write about three simple things:
- Library book returned to Dropbox
- Mailbox
- Take a book, give a book
These three examples can exist and run only with civic sense and responsibility, which are almost impossible to exist in our culture where there is a lack of civic sense.
- The first one – Library book returned to Dropbox
In the US libraries, you can drop your library book into the Dropbox when it is time to return it after reading. There is no mechanism for receipt or cancellation regarding the return in your physical presence. The system runs with trust and honesty. I know if we use that system in Nepal, there would be a lot of false cases about returning books that were not returned because of the dishonesty of the library members. At the same time, the same thing might come from the library staff saying that the book was not returned, which was returned.
A picture of a Dropbox
- The second one – the mailbox
In the USA, each house has an unlocked mailbox where the mailman with a mail vehicle puts the mail into it — valuable, invaluable, urgent, ordinary, etc. You even get your passport this way. If people are dishonest and have no civic sense, anyone can steal the mail quickly. But no one does it. The system works nicely, and no one has a problem with mail lost. I cannot imagine how this system works in our culture.
A picture of a Mailbox
- Take a book, give a book
In the USA, you often see a standing box with a few dozen books with a sign on the box door – “Take a book, give a book” in a park, at shopping centers, etc. It means you can take a book from there for reading as you take from the library and return it after reading. At the same time, it expects a book from you to share with that system. You are supposed to put any of your books there before you get a book from that place. No one seems to be stealing the book or not returning it there. I cannot imagine running it in our culture. I am sure the books will disappear the next day if we do it. Many simple but good things exist in the US that cannot exist in our country with our present culture of poverty and dishonesty.
A picture of the Stand Box for the Take a Book, Give a Book
When I was sad to see the lack of civic sense among our people a long time ago, I wrote a poem titled “How Do I Express That is My Country (Kasari Bhanu Khai Maile, Tyonai Mero Desh Ho), which was published in Janasatta Saptahik (Janasatta Weekly) on July 9, 2009 ( 2066/2/27). The poem in Nepali and its English translation are given below.
Poem in Nepali
The picture depicted in the poem still exists in the country, resulting from an uncivil sense among the people. Civic sense refers to individuals’ awareness of responsibility towards their community, which is essential in a democratic society. Education plays a crucial role in promoting it. We can raise awareness and instil a sense of responsibility toward our surroundings through school curricula, community workshops, and media campaigns, such as creating ads on TV, radio, newspapers, and more. I hope the responsible people who have the power to educate the people will give due attention to it.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect People’s Review’s editorial stance.
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