Do we have too much democracy?

In a nation where, after nearly seventy years of independence and having been governed for the last two hundred years by Britishers who were known in those days as sticklers for discipline, the Prime Minister has to start a ‘clean the nation’ movement or Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, there needs to be a serious introspection, if not a debate, about our Discipline Quotient – DQ. We as Indians have to grant ourselves that we are more intelligent than most of the world and, in the same breath, need to say we are very rowdy as far as discipline is concerned- more so self-discipline. Cleanliness and orderliness are a subset of discipline, and that cannot be contested.

On top of this, we have heavily saddled ourselves with the ‘demon of liberal democracy’, which deeply demands self-regulation. We need to be policed all the time- even to be potty trained well into adulthood- that is why open defecation is plaguing us to date. Some say it’s good to go and ease yourself in an open field to get benefit of a fresh early morning breeze.

Some habits die hard

We, the people of India, make a promise to ourselves every day to bathe. Even if it is very cold, we manage to get a bucket of warm water to bathe. In contrast, Westerners typically are not fussy in this regard and would not think twice about skipping the bathing ritual if they can. They have invented expensive perfumes, lotions and exotic aftershave lotions and deodorants to mask the stink- mind you, even a white man stinks!

Yet they do not go to an open field to do potty, as they are potty trained- I presume.

The call of nature is once a day, but we are frequently called by nature, as people love to spit at least fifty times a day. They don’t think twice before they come to action stations. Of course, you see discarded chewing gum on pavements in major European cities like London and Amsterdam, but not everywhere. Vandalism and damage to public property in the European Union are fairly high- close to 15% of people report this. Yet when you go to their city centres and public places, you find some semblance of orderliness and cleanliness.

Though the public may not bathe twice a day like Indians, they do care for society and their city. They even take pride in keeping the façade of their homes decorated; it is a treat to see the décor outside. Their streets look neat, colourful and inviting. Many cities hide trash in large, partially underground containers instead of leaving loose bags on sidewalks, which prevents pests and litter. Implementation: and that is the most important- heavy fines and monitoring discourage illegal dumping and encourage civic responsibility. So, it is a collaborative joint venture of public-private partnership. Everyone drives in his lane and respects and obeys traffic rules to a T.

Oh, my Singapore

The only guy who constantly pees in the open in Singapore is their famous lion statue called Merlion.

The nation, otherwise, is under an iron fist. Singapore is one of the few countries where there are several incredibly strict rules and regulations. These rules are in place to maintain the high standards the city is known for. From chewing gum to failing to flush public toilets, a number of things are seen as offences, and the fines are hefty, to put it mildly.

No drinking or eating in train stations, with a fine of 500 dollars. No smoking in prohibited areas, with a fine as steep as Singapore dollars 1000 (75,000 Rs). These are bus stops, bus shelters, covered linkways, in and around hospital compounds, educational institutions, parks, pavilions within any residential premises, pedestrian overhead bridges, underground walkways, playgrounds, exercise areas, reservoirs, swimming pools, changing and shower rooms, Washrooms, and mobile toilets.

In Singapore, judicial caning (often referred to as lashes) is used as a legal punishment for over 35 different offences, one being overstaying a visa.

Throwing cigarette butts could invite a kick in the butt. But this is what makes it a ‘wonderland’.

In Singapore, deliberately injuring a police officer is treated as an aggravated offence.

Voluntarily Causing Hurt: If the injury includes bodily pain or minor lacerations, it is classified under Section 332 as voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from their duty. Punishment: Imprisonment for up to 7 years, and the offender is also liable to a fine or caning (or a combination of these).

You try it in ‘Mera Bharat Mahan’, and there will be protests outside the parliament. Narebazee ‘Tanashahi nahi Chalegi’.

I wonder about my land

It is nothing unusual to see traffic coming from the opposite side of the road; in fact, it has been very much normalised. There is no law against something like this because no one can even imagine this. Trash everywhere- heaps of it- and this is in our metros that can put a hinterland village to shame. You can be pissing anywhere in public, throw litter in a river. That goes for our sense of dignity. We are such a freedom-loving people that nothing bothers us. Rain or shine, we have an equanimous mind. Just Chill.

Car parking is a nightmare. The guys park so scientifically that you can park barely 80 cars in a parking area for a hundred. Two-wheelers are parked most carelessly, without caring for the discomfort of others. It is a nightmare to cross a road, as no one wants to stop. A guy cannot walk on the pavement as there is no pavement. Either they are occupied by some ‘thelawala’ selling momos or being run over by scooters.

We are like bulls in a bullfight- in the Ring (ruedo) and get attracted to run when we see red- a cloth or a red light on a traffic signal. The only place where we are in a hurry is the traffic signal, and otherwise never ever on time for anything.

“We are punished by our sins, not for them.”

— Elbert Hubbard

Our fines are far from fine

Singapore is a fine city because it fines heavily.

Our fines are ridiculously nonpunitive. Driving without a license-₹5,000 fine. Drunk driving- ₹10,000 fine. Without a helmet: ₹1,000. Jumping a red light: ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 fine.

Even in the UAE, the fines are very heavy for traffic violations. Red light violation in the UAE:1000+ Dh50,000 Fine, 12 black points and vehicle impoundment for 30 days! Total 51000 Dh = thirteen lakh twenty-six thousand rupees. This is the cost of a car. If you jump a red light, you are finished.

‘Safai Singapore wala chahiye, aur attitude Kanpur wala’