Educate, Convince, and Inspire Citizens to Obey Laws and Realize Their Dreams
“It is not wise to violate rules until you know how to observe them.”
— T. S. Eliot
India, with its vast population and enormous geographical diversity, faces serious challenges in public discipline, civic behaviour, and infrastructure. Yet, despite these constraints, the quality of life in our country can be vastly improved—if both the administration and the public take collective responsibility to bring about change in everyday practices.
Countries known for high living standards tend to have efficient governance, a strong legal system, and a culture of civic responsibility. India must move in that direction—not by importing models, but by nurturing discipline and respect for the rule of law from within. Below are some actionable pathways for progress:
1. Queue Culture: A Basic yet Powerful Civic Habit
Standing in queues at bus stands, railway stations, hospitals, temples, and malls should be part of our national behavior. From childhood to old age, the habit of waiting one's turn should be encouraged, with reasonable exceptions made for the sick, the differently-abled, and senior citizens above 80.
Discipline begins with such simple, everyday practices—and the benefits ripple across society.
2. End the VIP Culture: Everyone Is a Citizen First
The mindset of entitlement and special privilege—particularly at public places like airports, temples, and government facilities—must be discouraged. Facilities built with taxpayers' money should prioritize the public. VIPs, celebrities, and officials should demonstrate humility, not superiority. Priority access should be given only in exceptional, justified circumstances.
Removing the VIP mentality sends a strong message: in a democracy, all are equal before the law and in public spaces.
3. Respect Traffic Rules: Roads Are for Everyone
The regular violation of traffic rules—especially by those in authority or with influence—reflects poorly on our society’s civic sense. Queue jumping, signal breaking, and reckless driving waste time, create chaos, and often endanger lives.
Strict enforcement of traffic laws, equal treatment under those laws, and public accountability are essential for restoring order and efficiency in our cities.
4. Roads and Footpaths: A Mirror of Governance
Broken roads, potholes, illegal parking, and garbage-strewn streets show the cracks in our civic management. While natural wear and tear is expected, the lack of proper planning, poor materials, corruption, and inadequate oversight exacerbate the problem.
Improved planning, quality control, regular inspections, and empowered citizens (through mechanisms like social audits) can restore dignity to our public spaces.
5. Legal Literacy: Know the Law, Respect the Law
Just as financial literacy has empowered millions to save, invest, and secure their futures, legal literacy must become a national mission. Citizens must understand the Constitution, the basics of governance, and the purpose behind laws. Knowing how laws protect rights and ensure justice can motivate people to follow them—not out of fear, but out of understanding.
The Legislature, Judiciary, and Executive must collaborate to simplify and disseminate this knowledge—especially to the youth and in rural areas. There is a real pleasure and Joy in understanding the laws of the land and obeying the laws as a matter of habit and culture in day to day life by all will pave the way not only for a very healthy economic progress but also for all round welfare and dignified living.
If every institution—be it in the government or private sector, corporate or cooperative sector—and every professional and citizen across all walks of life were to develop a deep awareness of the laws of the land and commit to observing them in both letter and spirit, the socio-economic progress our country could achieve would be truly phenomenal.
Such a transformation would not only foster a culture of accountability, transparency, and fairness, but also significantly reduce the burden on our judicial system. The age-old adage "justice delayed is justice denied" would become a relic of the past, as legal compliance and ethical conduct would naturally diminish the volume of litigation. The chronic backlog of cases pending for decades in various courts could finally become history, making way for a society rooted in trust, equity, and rapid progress.
A Call to Conscience
True democracy is not just about voting once in five years. It is about daily participation—through small actions, civic awareness, and respect for others' rights. If people become more law-abiding, the scope for corruption, black money, inefficiency, and injustice will drastically shrink.
Let us build an India where people not only dream but also live their dreams in peace, order, and dignity.
“True administration of justice is the firmest pillar of good Government. There is a higher court than the courts of justice, and that is the court of conscience.”
— Mahatma Gandhi
T V G Krishnan
(Views are personal)
