Street Ethics

Humans evolved from apes, and over time, we claim to have transformed from uncivilized beings into civilized ones. History tells us this, and we accept it as fact. But the real question remains: are we truly civilized? Do we really deserve to call ourselves “superior beings”? To find the answer, we don’t have to look far, just step into public places like bus stands, railway stations, parks, beaches, or tea shops. My own observations in such spaces often make me question our so-called civilization. For instance, at bus stands, I have seen people of all ages, right from teenagers to the elderly, who are rushing to grab seats without forming a line. Is this simply due to a lack of education, or is there something deeper behind such behaviour?

 Another frequent sight is people smoking in public spaces such as on streets, near tea shops, and in crowded areas. As a child, I never realized that smoking in public was an offence. It was only in college that I came to know smoking had even become a kind of fashion statement among many students. Later, when I lived away from home, I often saw students gathered outside tea shops (especially Ila Cafe in Professor Colony near MCC Heber Gate) in residential neighbourhoods, smoking in front of houses where children and elderly people lived. In such cases, gender makes no difference; both men and women share equally in what is essentially a slow invitation to cancer. I have also witnessed some of my fellow MCC students openly consuming alcohol and even smoking banned substances like weed (ganja) in public places.

Clearly, such uncivilized acts are not restricted to the uneducated. On the contrary, they are often carried out by those who are highly educated. This is not to single out MCC students but rather to question the larger public, which includes parents, teachers and students who together shape our society.

This raises a crucial concern: what prompts educated individuals, particularly students, to behave in this way? Do they not realize that smoking in public is an offence? Do they not understand that spitting in public spaces is unhygienic? Are they unaware that engaging in sexual activity in parks, beaches, or cars parked in public areas is inappropriate and unacceptable? What is missing here? Has our education system failed to instil social discipline? Have our schools overlooked their responsibility to teach the younger generation about civic values?

 In order to explore these questions, I plan to ask students, teachers, and the general public about their awareness and understanding of what it truly means to be civilized. I will be recording these conversations and uploading them on my YouTube channel so that society at large can reflect on these issues and engage in meaningful dialogue.

Youtube Channel: https://youtube.com/@barnov04?si=atQjeNstl6wUZE0U