Have you ever walked on busy public corridors and hospital ramps. Have you noticed the irresponsible pedestrian lift an arm and start walking across a busy crossroad the moment your traffic signal turns green. These are just a few examples of day to day evolution of the guwahati pedestrians.
It’s an unwritten rule that the way we drive on the left side of the road so should we walk on our left to ease movements. We should always walk on the foot path / side walks on all busy roads.Crossing a road is obviously at designated points. Our city has foot bridges and zebra crossings. But some people still enjoy blocking the traffic by walking at their sweet pace enjoying phone conversations even at points like hospital entrances.
The other day I was walking up the hospital ramp. Suddenly I noticed a young boy busy on his mobile phone walk to me as if to crash me down. I tried to draw his attention and said, ” hi look ahead as you walk”. The reply was arrogant and blurty ” any problem?” He brushed past me, I turned around while obviously on duty and looked at him. This young man with ear phones and sandles blissfully walked away as if it’s all my fault.
It’s perhaps time to teach our children in school that even walking in public places is as per rules.
People seem to be at ease of pace on busy roads while at places where we are expected to queue up like shops and banks everyone is in a hurry. If somehow you get busy taking out your wallet or spectacle while in a queue you will surely be pushed aside by the person behind. But I just fail to understand why.
True that we are a country where population is our huge asset. But perhaps if we can focus on issues of self discipline may be a lot of interpersonal interactions will get better.
Dr Madhumita Priyadarshini Das