The concept of Civic Sense encompasses the shared values of a society which integrates its members and creates a sense of brotherhood. It is based on consideration for fellow human beings and treating each other with dignity and respect. It includes social norms, behavioural dos and don’ts and ethical societal values. It’s an important aspect of life as it pertains to the behaviour of citizens in certain situations so that a socially acceptable outcome can be achieved and the true potential of society can be reached. Civic sense reduces several societal problems related to the environment, basic amenities and health.
Unfortunately, we are lacking in our collective moral behaviour as we do not seem to care for anyone in society but ourselves. There are numerous examples which indicate that we Nagas lack basic civic sense, from spitting of tobacco products in any and every corner, urinating on roads, vandalism of public property such as road signs, flower pots, etc. Two huge public menaces that we face in the state are double parking of cars thus creating hour long traffic jams, and the act of throwing garbage on the street without care. A new example that The Chief Executive Officer of Kohima Smart City Development Limited (KSCDL) highlighted was that some citizens of the capital city were knowingly throwing non plastic items into the clearly labelled “plastic banks” that were recently installed.
We believe that as we pay taxes, we have a right to do as we please and that it is the duty of institutions and the government to clean up after us. During the monsoon season for instance, our roads clog up disrupting everyday life and we blame the government for not providing better drainage systems, even though it is we who throw the garbage that clogs those very drains. We demand and expect everything, but are we doing our part? Are we neglecting our duties and feigning ignorance of basic manners that we are taught as little children?
The way forward is to renew discourse on civic sense so that we as citizens can play our due role in strengthening and developing society. It is high time that we as members of society introspect and delve deeper into the essence of civic sense. Each and every person plays an integral part in making our society a better one to live in, each person’s actions counts as the summation of all small actions create big impacts. “Everybody does it” is an excuse and only an excuse. If we want to see change in our society, we have to alter our attitude and be the change we wish to see. We ought to learn to be good citizens and ensure that our children and those around us do the same.
