7. Examples of more examples

CIM has time and again tried to tell people through their blogs and even their Clapping Club how important it is to set an example. But look at the picture and observe what a fine example the father is setting for the son. This is on the Chandmari Flyover and the turn this father is taking, is a wrong turn as he is moving against the traffic, in an attempt to take a short cut, that too, to drop his son to school. He could have taken the road which comes up under the flyover and could have also saved some of his fuel. In the process of waiting for the other cars to move over, which are already facing problems of trying to get into the lane, he  has consumed precious fuel. Leave all this aside, the most important and vital thing is setting a 'fine' example for his son, who has by now understood the fact that since his father can take a wrong turn, "......so wait till I get my bike, I will do the same thing. After all, my father has been doing it for so many years. I have seen him and he saw nothing wrong in it! So I don't see where the problem is....! "

So you think we have a major problem at hand? That of setting an example for the younger generation? Yes, we do!

If we don't act now, the generation that will take over will be lost forever. Think again next time you want to take a short-cut!

And someone wise had already said, "There are no short-cuts to success." No short-cuts to putting together your efforts to  making your child a globalised citizen rather than a localized one. And then you would say your life has been worth living and successful!

Tinat

6. Set an example!

What is it with the people? Do they know the meaning and value of a zebra crossing or 'jebra' crossing as they are more wont to pronounce?  

Through our forum, we would like to time and again remind the citizens not only of Guwahati city but all across Northeast India and the rest of India that a zebra crossing is an important aspect of road traffic. If we are to call ourselves law-abiding citizens, then we have to follow the rules. Now, there is a catch! When we request you to follow the rules, you are most likely to say, "Why should I follow the traffic rules and stop at the zebra crossing? Look at those people. They are standing their car right on top of the crossing." 

This is where your participation comes into action. If each one of us were to think that we should do (the negative things!) what the other person is doing, imagine the chaos that is bound to follow. In fact, if you look around you, there is utter chaos with the traffic more often than we want because there are very few law-abiding citizens and only a few who are trying to make a difference. The work of setting an example by a law-abiding citizen will be far more tougher if no one learns from it. 

So, next time you are at a zebra crossing, make sure you stand your car behind the white line, above which is written STOP in bold and let the pedestrians cross in peace. Never mind the car honking behind you. It can move only when the light turns green and you start your car. And there you are; an example for the rest of the people around you to give a deeper meaning to a zebra crossing.

Indrajit Kr. Saikia

5.

UPHILL AND DOWNHILL

Place: Shillong

Situation: A car from Guwahati taking a wrong turn uphill, which happens to be one way

Reaction: A Khasi man at the wheel of a car from Shillong sticks his head out of the car window and says, “Sir, this is a one way. You have to go round the other way!”

 Place: Guwahati

Situation: A car coming up hill on a two way road.

Reaction: A person driving down the hill swerves dangerously to the right, taking up most of the driving area of the car coming up the hill. This action unnerves the car going uphill and it stops letting the car pass, which whizzes pass without a care in the world, like someone who has just won a war. The car going uphill swings to first gear and goes on its way!

This is a regular feature everywhere in Guwahati. And nobody really knows this etiquette.  In a two-way road going uphill, it is the prerogative of the car going uphill to pass first. The car coming downhill should wait for the car going uphill to pass through.

People staying in the hills know this simple road rule but commuters in the plains are yet to understand and implement this in their road etiquette.

 The reason is clear and simple. A car going uphill faces more tension while having to use the clutches, brakes and a high gear, which altogether proves to be difficult for the car to hold on, while a car going down the road can use the brakes to hold on for the other car to pass.

So, next time, let’s make it a point to be a little courteous and let a car coming uphill pass by without trying to swerve and hit the car. You will ask, “Why should I bother?” And I will say, “Start getting bothered and create a chain of change.”

 

Indrajit Kr. Saikia