There is a widening gap between India’s ancient, revered civilisation and the observable decline in its collective civic sense. 

About Civic Sense

• Civic sense fundamentally entails responsible behaviour in public places. 
  • It is about displaying self-discipline and consideration for others, not out of fear of legal repercussions or police action, but from an innate understanding of shared public spaces and community well-being. 
• Example: Adhering to traffic rules to prevent inconvenience to others, patiently standing in queues at railway stations or for form submissions, and showing respect to fellow citizens in public areas. 
  • Example of Nation Displaying Strong Civic Sense: Japan dictates even subtle courtesies like keeping phones on silent in trains and buses to avoid disturbing others.

Evident Lapses in Our Civic Sense

• Disregard for Rituals and Order: A widely circulated video from the Mahakumbh showed individuals brazenly snatching puja materials even before the priests had completed the rituals for immersion in the Ganges. 
• Impatience and Aggression: A wedding in Bijnor devolved into a brawl because guests were enraged by delayed food service.
  • An Investment Summit in Madhya Pradesh, intended to attract global investors, gained notoriety for attendees fighting over free buffet plates. 
• Disrespect for Public Property and Collective Effort: During International Yoga Day celebrations in Visakhapatnam, people resorted to vandalism and fighting over yoga mats.
  • At a Mango Festival in Lucknow, exhibition mangoes, meant for display, were simply picked up and taken away by visitors.
• Everyday Indifference: The necessity to chain buckets in train washrooms, a practice also observed in some African nations, underscores a widespread lack of civic responsibility concerning public amenities.

Barriers in addressing the declining civic sense

• Hiding Behind Past Glory: When confronted with instances of poor civic sense, many dismiss concerns by proclaiming, “We are a great civilisation” or question comparisons with other nations. 
  • This historical pride, though valid in its own right, serves as a shield to avoid acknowledging contemporary flaws. 
  • True progress demands an honest assessment of current deficiencies, rather than resting on past laurels.
• “We Are Like That Only”: A defeatist attitude, “we are like that only”, suggests an acceptance of poor behaviour and prevents any effort towards self-improvement and societal betterment.
• Sense of Entitlement: A dangerous sense of entitlement allows individuals to believe their regional or religious pride grants them impunity for disruptive or violent behaviour. 
• Role of Modern Technology: The advent of social media has exacerbated this issue, transforming the problem of poor civic sense into an immediate and widespread threat:
  • Anonymity and Lack of Accountability: Social media platforms allow users to hide their true identities, fostering a lack of accountability that encourages abusive language and behaviour. 
  • Weaponisation of Information: The rise of deepfakes now enables malicious actors to create highly convincing fake content, designed to incite conflict between communities and engage in character assassination. 

Rabindranath Tagore’s Vision: The Essence of Civilisation

• Civilisation Beyond Formalities: Rabindranath Tagore believed that civilisation goes deeper than surface-level customs or etiquette. 
  • It is not about polished manners or rituals alone.
• Civilisation Rooted in Dharma: For Tagore, civilization was inextricably linked to ‘Dharma’. 
  • His idea of ‘Dharma’ did not equate to religion; instead, it represented the fundamental principles that bind all individuals together.
• Modern Fragmentation of Civilisation: Presently, the societal rhythm that once connected individuals is weakening. Despite advancements, people often display behaviour that contradicts the ideals of civilisation.
  • There is a growing gap between the appearance of a refined civilisation and the reality of increasing incivility among its members.

Conclusion

The growing disparity between India’s civilisational heritage and its declining civic sense poses an existential threat to its societal fabric. 

• A nation is, at its core, a reflection of its people. 
• For India to truly thrive and its civilization to endure, its people must cultivate genuine civic sense and behave responsibly in public spaces. 

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