During my school days, adherence to rules and queuing up were strongly emphasised. However, the scenario took a complete turn when boarding a DTC bus with my parents. Despite passengers lining up at the bus stop, eager to maintain order, the bus driver often took joy in stopping a few feet short or past the designated stop. Faced with long waits, missed buses, and harsh Delhi weather, passengers would inevitably lose patience, resembling a disorderly herd scrambling for the bus. Chaos ensued as people jostled to enter the overcrowded vehicle, while drivers paid little heed to those left behind or in need of assistance.
This disorderly conduct wasn’t limited to buses. Mornings started with chaos at the milk booth, where sheer muscle power compensated for the lack of fitness exercises. Even buying a cinema ticket for the first show resembled a wrestling match, with crowds clamouring at ticket counters or succumbing to exorbitant black-market prices. These real-life experiences starkly contrasted with the orderly education received in school, reflecting the shortages and resource inadequacies of the time. In such an environment, one had to fight through the crowd to avoid being overlooked or deprived.
While progress has been made since then, with successful agricultural and dairy revolutions, the pride in breaking rules to gain an advantage persists. Even with just a handful of people in line at a milk booth, some feel compelled to barge in from the side. Maintaining a single, orderly queue is a challenge without police intervention. Whether at a dispensary, a doctor’s office, or on the road, breaking queues or lane discipline, arrogance and rudeness have become the norm. This aggressive behaviour begs the question: why can’t society adhere to orderliness?
Reflecting on my experiences working with the Danish International Development Agency and visiting Denmark, where even the Queen and members of the Royal Family adhere to public transport and queuing etiquette, I’m struck by the contrast with our political leaders, where they wouldn’t even like to wait for an ongoing transaction to be completed-they must be attended first. While security concerns may necessitate some deviations from strict orderliness, excessive privileges, and entitlements, such as pensions for single tenures and self-serving perks, only serve to set a bad example. When leaders flaunt rules, it fosters a culture where power is equated with rule-breaking and bending, leading ordinary citizens to follow suit in their own spheres.
Democracy hinges on orderly and responsible behaviour from everyone, starting with leaders. Until our politicians embrace this principle, true progress toward a more orderly society will remain elusive.
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