Have you ever wondered how the state of development of a nation can be directly gauged (in most cases) from how the roads are, and the level of road sense? For those in India, try answering these questions:

1. Are the roads generally better in larger cities, than smaller cities?
2. If given a chance, do you prefer to skip a light or break a rule?
3. Do you let another car overtake you easily, or does your ego come into play and you say, Me first?
4. Do you stop your vehicle to let a person cross the road, or do you generally accelerate to try and better him?
5. Do you brake if you see an animal on the road, in front of your vehicle, or do you think an animal doesn’t matter much?
6. Do you park your car in a no parking zone, do you smoke in car, do you wear the seat belt at the sight of a cop, do you overspeed…all with the knowledge that no one’s watching?
7. Do you feel secure in thinking that even if you’re caught, you can easily get away palming 100 bucks to the cop?
8. Do you start honking as soon as the lights turn green, knowing fully well that the car in front cannot move ahead immediately?
9. Do you drive in your lane?
10. Do you swear readily at the other person, at the slightest opportunity to do so?
11. Do you see a lot of beggars and peddlers at every intersection, and wonder why they can’t be taken away by the cops?
12. Do you litter on the roads, throwing anything and everything out the window?

Chances are, your actions will dramatically change as soon as you step into a developed nation. Chances are, you will start observing all rules, and try to be an ideal driver. Chances are, you will suddenly become compassionate and caring for people walking on the roads, for other fellow drivers, as soon as you’re in US or Europe or another developed nation. The reasons are not too hard to find out:

1. The rules are pretty much the same, but in India, we lack in implementation. We think we can get away with paltry fines, while we may end up shelling thousands when caught doing a wrong abroad
2. Others around us are doing the same, hence we too do it in India. We don’t want to be the first ones to change or act responsibly. Others will think we’re fools.

My question to all those who have taken the trouble of reading through this post: What stops you from following rules? Why do you suddenly change when abroad? Why do you say India is not developed, when you’re contributing actively everyday to letting it stay under-developed? Why are you afraid to be the agents of change?

If you can’t do it, then don’t whine about it. Thanks.

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