How can I become a responsible citizen

This topic is a tought provoking topic and concerns a burning problem all over the world.



I was immediately reminded of the wonderful lines, Pronounced by the famous dramatist Bernard Shaw. He said "Good laws don't make a good society, only good people can make a good society".



All right, How can I make myself a good and a responsible citizen? Then I remembered a meaningful epigram:

"Watch your thoughts

They become your words,

Watch your words,

They become your actions,

Watch your actions,

They become your habit,

Watch your habits,

They become your character"



So, the simple trick is to have a pure mind. A mind which has very good qualities like truth, honesty, tolerance, love, generosity and humility.



Well, how can I develop these valuable qualities? It is not easy, but it is possible. We have very good models before us like Mahatma Gandhiji, Mother Teresa, Buddha, Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri and others. If I study their biographies I can imbibe their great qualities, in course of time.

Then I must practise them in my daiy life. Because, Citizenship involves not only rights, but also duties. Initially, it will be difficult. But, when I make up my mind, and follow the foot prints of these great souls, in the long run, I can attain a pure and noble soul.

O.K. let me assume that I possess all these virtues. What am I to do with them?

Here comes the important issue. Surely I am proud of being an Indian and benefit from the famous Indian culture and heritage.

But, should I utilize m noble qualities only for the welfare of Indian people? No, I don't think so. Because, Pablo Casals, the renowned thinker says, "The love of one's country is a splendid thing. But why should love stop at the boundary?

I consider the entire world as my own country and all the human beings are my own brethren. More over, like the great revolutionary poet, Bharathi, I consider each and every creature of nature, as my family member.

I have immense faith in the international brotherhood. Because, I want to be a good citizen of this Universe. If there is yet another world war, it is beyond doubt, that the whole mankind will be erased off the face of the earth, in no time.

What is the way out? The only possibe solution is that, all of us should practise the great teaching of Ralph Waldo Emerson, the famous, American philosopher. He said "my country is the world, and my religion is to do good".

If we do this, there will not be any terrrorism, war, and inhuman killings. If we forget our petty differences and love one another and shed tears for the miseries of our fellow human beings in any part of the world, this world will surely become an earthly paradise.

When some one is crushed in Haiti, when some one loses his life in Iraq let us not stop, simply with shedding tears, and feeling sorry for them. Let us help them in our own way. Can't we spare atleast five hundred rupees from our savings? It will get a needy meal for a hungry child. Let the milk of human kindness flow from our heart. Let, helping others become our religion and let us start a movement. When our peers, see our nobility of actions, they will follow suit. And finally, God himself will assist us in our noble endeavour. Because not only joint prayer, but also joint actions of munificience will attract the almighty.

Don't think that it is impossible. But, let me tell you one thing. If we join hands together, and try very hard, we can make this world a better and a wonderful place.

I am ready for this difficult, but meaningful ordeal. Are you?

Source:
Prof. N.Sukumaran, M.A., M.Phil., C.P.A. College, Bodi.

This entry won the first prize at the Oratorical competition for class VI held at The Little Kingdom Senior School by Miss S. Hema varna soundarya.