Model Citizen of Today for a better tomorrow…
In a country with so much variety in every aspect of life, with so many languages, cultures, lifestyle I took a dip into what can make us Model Citizens of today so that we can give our upcoming generation a better future, no matter what.

So what would make us model citizen? I have tried to capture few pointers which touches this subject and gives us some insights.

Keeping an Open mind    
Listen to people who have different opinions and try to see things from their perspective. It is good to appreciate their point of view, always allow room for the differences and try to come to some sort of a understanding when socializing or interacting with people. This helps build a common platform and exchange ideas.

Be Polite, Know the Laws of the land
When you are out in public whether in a mall or a crowded market place, driving or at beach side, make sure you behave in a polite and courteous manner. Greet people correctly and in a polite tone. Be Patient and always queue in an orderly fashion when shopping, waiting for train or bus or at any place for that matter. In the process what worst can happen- you don’t get something early, you don’t get a seat, you have to stand and wait for a little more than other, you are devoid of something, its ok. Life goes on. It does not impact in long run. Similarly avoid littering on roads, avoid spitting on streets, in building etc.

Always be aware of the rules of the land you are staying-in or visiting. Respect the same.
My experience of travel to all countries has been wonderful for they follow all above netiquettes that I have said so why not we tell the world how good we are. It’s time to change if you are lacking in of these. Spread awareness as citizens.

Be Hospitable & Kind to Tourists
During my stay and international travel in last 8 years I have always made it a point to ask people if they have visited India, if yes what has been their experience. The response about their experience has been with mixed feelings.

Remember it spreads a positive word of mouth about us as Indians and more important about our Country in world arena if we treat our tourists well. This not only applies to tourist from other countries but also tourist from other states within India. Don’t you want to be treated in same way as you would like to treat someone. Give your best without expecting anything.

Respect elders, Help Others even if they have nothing to offer you in return.
Try and do something good for your neighbor, society or any person you come in contact with. Help elderly old people by opening the door, carrying their groceries, or helping in some way or other which you can. In process urge you not to help expecting something in return. Simply do it with the sheer joy that it gives for being self-less and doing a doing deed.  I myself have experienced in Puri where youngsters come forward and help. Such a wonderful scene it is seeing the younger lot do that. There are of course two sides of coin and my call is for those who don’t do it. Its time, come forward and do well.

Stay United, Stand up and Speak for your rights. 
One of my experience in one of the Police station I visited is something I would not like to forget and forgive. Imagine I take a gentleman to the police station who was drunk and hit my vehicle from behind, the state of his vehicle showed he would have already had accidents on way already. Though the Policemen in uniform showed a casual attitude I made it a point to let them know what their job is and I am going to do more in every sphere of life. So speak up and fight for your rights collectively. Donot let a handful of people dictate what life we should lead as citizens. If you are on wrong side of things, admit and correct yourself but don’t teach your next generation what is wrong.

It is for us to evolve our self continuously come what may.

Encourage Talent & Skill Development
Its helps to be knowledgeable, there are many useful columns, topics that one can learn to be aware of what is happening around you, outside ones state, country and globally. What are citizens in other countries doing, how they are conducting themselves etc. Read and educate self and others on govt. laws, regulations and environment. I as a proud Indian don’t feel good when I don’t find my Country among the best places to live which I want to. There is so much of change for good around us today but that’s not enough. We have to do more and more good in all walks of life today. Don’t we want our society, lane, state and country to shine! The other day when I visited my hometown, there was a cultural program by kids aged between 4 to 9 years from a Classical dance group and there were handful of people. I and my family happened to drop by on knowing and we just wanted to show our solidarity and in the process encourage the little ones. Every clap would have made them feel good. Let’s encourage every single talent in and around us in every sphere. Look at where China is in every walk of life.

Empathy towards Natural environment
Show your empathy towards all living beings whether it’s a tree or animals around in the ecosystem unless it becomes a nuisance factor. In the latter case help organize; work with NGOs if required for a better tomorrow where we don’t fiddle with the natural environment. There are many conscious drive by Corporates, NGOs and others including govt. for going Green, not to cut trees etc. Even if one cuts, plant more trees in areas where you can. Please pay attention to same and stop if you see something not going right. Always take steps collectively, form Community groups for a larger cause, It has power.

Do research how NGO’s, Govt. can help and assist the society through schools, hospitals, charities etc. Lets do our bit in cleaning areas, our neighborhood clean. Don’t you feel good when your room or house is clean so why not keep our lane or society clean where we stay! It feels good.
 
Be Responsible
After reading this article some may think what happens to those who will not pay a heed, who are corrupt, in many institutions it has already spread its wings in many forms, who takes care of them. Its you who have to take care. Please go back to my earlier mention of collectively standing up and fighting for a cause. We have already seen so many movements of late where our citizens have stood up for larger cause which goes beyond their own self, family. It’s for the right of citizens, it’s for right of Girl, It’s for right of citizen of tomorrow.

Choose what you want to see, hear, have your say. Whether it is the Political fraternity, Media, any govt. department or whoever it may be. No one is always right or wrong. Some overstate, over say, some don’t at all. So arouse your conscious self, weigh all options, think logically and have your way.  Build social support systems, help each other and be safe.

Through this I call upon all those who are deviating from being a model citizen to please denounce even if the practice they are following for years may prompt them to loose lakhs and crores of rupees. This needs a strong will, making people around you who were involved in such act, aware and conscious of what benefits it will reap.
 
Teach good to your children. How do you feel when you are sitting in a restaurant with your group and next to you, there is this group who donot follow table manners, spill water & food everywhere, have children who are running, screaming and creating a mess in the restaurant!! Think about it…

I take a leave with this thought on my way to becoming a better citizen with each passing day, more importantly a better human being.