‘Pioneer-Dilli Billi’- 21st.March.2010

Living in Delhi one has to be prepared for the high levels of living danger and knowing that travelling in the capital is a risky business. A survey source recently conducted that Delhi is also one of the most dangerous cities for pedestrians. Being snooty Delhities we are not surprised when we hear of accidents every second day where youngsters die of rash driving. Usually fuelled by excessive alcohol abuse. There are no stringent rules and regulations followed and everything is taken easily. We live in a system where saab chalta hai & jugaads. Where etiquette and social behaviour take a back seat.
I have seen in recent times that the administration and the police are trying its level best to try and do whatever possible. In this process of change the public faces a discomfort. It is not easy to adapt the new systems. I remember when the Metro was just being set up even a bit of confusion was too much for the common man to handle. The BRT making made the middle class so angry and desperate. The media went hysterical and slammed the Delhi Government for traffic jams and confusion. Shiela Dikshit was lambasted left, right and center by all classes. But the tiny lady stood her ground and went through the whole process of negative publicity positively. She knew that the outcome would make the Aam admi happy.
Today when I travel on these Delhi roads in the BRT in my “air conditioned car”, I am relieved to see how smooth the flow of traffic is. My car may get stuck at a red light or crossing for sometime due to heavy congestion of cars. But now the Aam Admi for the first time in their lives goes past me in a superb bus. It is so comforting to see the new sense of hygiene and systematic running of comfort that the Aam Admi relishes today. Thanks to a bit of firmness by the head of the state.
It is very easy for the middle class to try and bully the administration. It is the middle class and the powerful who break rules and regulations. I have seen on many occasions how a big imported car will leave the lane meant for it and jumps on to the bus lane at the BRT to get a clearer road. If he is caught he will pay his way through. I have also noticed now how happy the cyclists are on their path. The Aam Admi who travels through Metro cannot thank Shiela enough for this present.
It is always difficult to train a human being and make him change his ways. What we need here is to educate people living in Delhi; we have to educate the cops and everyone from top to bottom. We have to sometimes ignore the middle class and their tantrums. We need to have tighter regulations of traffic and public awareness and strict fines have to be put in place for vehicles and vendors who encroach on footpaths. The subways have to be made safe which are currently in immaculate condition needs to be maintained by the people who take pride in it. Zebra crossing lessons needs to be taught for one’s own safety may it be the pedestrian or the passenger. This is not what a Shiela Dixit or administration can do on its own. There has to be a collective responsibility of the public and media also. The administration can provide you facilities but what is the use of and awareness’ of these facilities needs to be target. The administration should focus on spreading the awareness of not spitting on roads, on how to cross the road and other civil behaviour. They should start from pre-nursery institutions till the top. Today we have seen children teach their parents about small things that make a difference in the society. One of the recent examples is burning of crackers in Diwali. Thanks to the educational institutions who drilled into the children’s mind that crackers are unhealthy and lead to pollution the outcome was amazing, therefore awareness on civil behaviour should start from tender age because today the poorest of poorest works and sends their children to the neighbourhood school to make better civilians.