Answer

Introduction

The incident involving Indian tourists chanting regional and political slogans in Paris highlights the delicate balance between cultural pride and civic responsibility. In a globalized world, the expression of identity is a fundamental right, but when it disregards local norms and personal boundaries, it risks infringing upon the shared “global commons” and reinforcing negative stereotypes.

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Civic Sense Shaping Ethical Behaviour in a Globalised World

• Respecting Shared Spaces: Civic sense dictates that public areas are shared “global commons” where individual expression must not encroach upon the comfort of others.
  Eg: The viral Paris video showed tourists ignoring a mime artist’s repeated gestures to stop, illustrating a failure to respect the sanctity of public performance.
• Upholding Personal Boundaries: Ethical behavior involves recognizing the physical and emotional space of others, especially when interacting with strangers or service providers.
  Eg: Critics noted that placing an arm around a street performer without consent while shouting loudly constitutes a violation of personal space and consent.
• Adherence to Local Norms: In a globalized world, ethical conduct requires adapting to the “spirit of the place” (Genius Loci), which varies significantly across cultures.
  Eg: While loud chanting may be normalized in Indian political rallies, it is often perceived as aggressive or disruptive in European urban settings.
• Digital Ethics & “Reel” Culture: The urge to create viral content often bypasses ethical considerations of empathy and social decorum for the sake of “likes.”
  Eg: Columnists argue that many such incidents are prompted by the urge to create social media reels, leading to performative nationalism at the cost of local peace.
• Promoting Global Harmony: Civic-minded individuals act as unofficial “brand ambassadors,” where their behavior directly impacts the international perception of their home country.
• Sensitivity to Context: Ethics in a global world requires understanding that political or regional slogans may be meaningless or misinterpreted by a foreign audience.
• Environmental & Social Mindfulness: Civic sense extends to not littering or being excessively noisy, ensuring one’s “tourist footprint” remains positive and non-intrusive.

Measures to Encourage Responsible Cultural Expression

• Pre-departure Cultural Orientation: Travel agencies and the Ministry of Tourism should provide “soft skills” dossiers on destination-specific etiquette and social norms.
  Eg: Responsible Tourism platforms suggest including a “Cultural Sensitivity” clause in tour operator contracts to brief travelers before departure.
• Social Media Sensitisation: Influencers and digital platforms should promote the concept of “Ethical Vlogging,” discouraging disruptive behavior for viral engagement.
  Eg: Encouraging hashtags like ResponsibleTravel can shift the focus from performative acts to respectful exploration.
• Curriculum Integration: Civic sense and “Global Citizenship Education” (GCED) should be integrated into school curricula to instill values of empathy and decorum from a young age.
• Consular Advisory Updates: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) could issue advisories on “Dos and Don’ts” that emphasize respecting local laws and social etiquette.
• Community-Led Peer Regulation: Diaspora organizations and travel groups can act as peer regulators, calling out uncivil behavior within their circles.
  Eg: Online backlash by the Indian diaspora against the Paris incident shows how “digital peer pressure” can enforce social discipline.
• Incentivising Responsible Tourism: Airlines or loyalty programs could offer rewards or “Civic Credits” to travelers who complete online modules on international etiquette.
• Implementation of “Civic Bonds”: Some experts suggest a refundable “social discipline fee” for group travelers, which is returned if no local complaints are filed.

Conclusion

Civic sense is the “forgotten superpower” that transforms a tourist into a guest. As India seeks to assert its cultural soft power globally, its citizens must lead with empathy rather than imposition. By balancing states’ attachment with civic sense,” Indian travelers can ensure that their cultural pride remains a source of admiration rather than embarrassment, fostering a truly inclusive and respectful global society.

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