In today’s time, many people do not take care of public places properly. One common reason behind this is the thinking that “it’s not my property, so it’s not my responsibility.” This attitude may seem small, but it creates big problems in society. A recent incident involving Class 10 students clearly shows how this mindset is affecting public spaces.

The Incident

A man named Vikrant Krishnarao Thakre shared a video on social media showing the condition of a train coach. The coach was in a very bad state. There were biscuit wrappers, plastic bottles, food packets, and even blankets scattered all over the floor. According to him, this mess was created by a group of Class 10 students who were travelling to Manali for a school trip.

The video quickly went viral, and many people started talking about it. What shocked people the most was not just the mess, but the careless behaviour behind it.

What Happened During the Journey

During the journey, the students were eating snacks and drinking soft drinks like any normal group on a trip. However, instead of using the dustbins provided, they threw all the waste on the floor. This shows that they were not concerned about cleanliness at all.

The situation became worse when another passenger politely asked them to clean up the garbage. Instead of listening, the students laughed and ignored the request. This behaviour showed a lack of respect not only for the train but also for other passengers.

The Real Issue: Wrong Thinking

The main problem in this situation is the mindset. Many people think that cleaning public places is someone else’s job. They believe that since they do not own the place, they can behave however they want.

But this thinking is wrong. Public property belongs to everyone. Trains, parks, roads, and tourist places are shared by all citizens. If everyone starts behaving carelessly, these places will become dirty and unpleasant.

This mindset also shows a lack of civic sense. Civic responsibility means understanding our duty towards society and behaving in a way that does not harm others.

Public Reaction

After the video spread online, many people shared their opinions on X. Most of them were angry and disappointed. They said that such behaviour reflects poor discipline and a lack of basic manners.

Some people also pointed out that students should be taught how to behave in public before going on school trips. Others said that if students cannot keep a train clean, they will not respect natural places like mountains and forests either.

This reaction shows that people are becoming more aware of cleanliness and civic responsibility.

Role of Schools

Schools play an important role in shaping the behaviour of students. Education is not only about studies, but also about learning values and good habits.

Schools should:

• Teach students about cleanliness and hygiene.
• Explain the importance of public property.
• Set strict rules during trips.
• Encourage responsible behaviour.

Programs like Swachh Bharat Mission also spread awareness about keeping the surroundings clean. Schools can use such programs to teach students the importance of civic sense.

Role of Parents

Parents are the first teachers in a child’s life. Children learn most of their habits from home. If parents ignore cleanliness, children are likely to do the same.

Parents should:

• Teach children not to throw garbage anywhere.
• Encourage the use of dustbins.
• Explain why public places should be respected.

These simple lessons can help children become responsible citizens in the future.

Effects on Society

Irresponsible behaviour in public places creates many problems. Dirty surroundings can spread diseases and make the environment unhealthy. It also creates inconvenience for other people who use the same space.

In addition, cleaning such a mess requires extra effort from workers and authorities like tIndian Railways. This increases costs and wastes time.

Such behaviour also creates a negative image of society. Visitors and tourists may think that people do not care about cleanliness, which can affect the country’s reputation.

What Can Be Done

Improving this situation is not very difficult. Small actions can bring big changes if everyone follows them.

Some simple steps include:

• Always use dustbins.
• Not littering in public places.
• Respecting shared spaces.
• Following basic rules.
• Politely stopping others from doing wrong.

Students especially should understand that their actions matter. They are the future of the country, and their behaviour will shape society.

The train incident is not just about a group of students. It reflects a bigger issue in society lack of civic responsibility. The “it’s not my property” mindset needs to change.

Everyone should understand that public places belong to all of us. If we use them, we must also take care of them. Clean surroundings are not only the responsibility of authorities, but of every citizen.

Even small habits like throwing waste in dustbins can make a big difference. Change does not happen suddenly, but it begins with small steps.

In the end, we must remember one simple thing: if we respect public spaces, we are actually respecting ourselves and our society.

References:

1. Incident details based on a video shared by Vikrant Krishnarao Thakre on Instagram showing the condition of a train coach after a student trip.
2. Public opinions and reactions collected from discussions on X.
3. Concepts of cleanliness and civic responsibility inspired by the Swachh Bharat Mission.
4. General cleanliness rules and passenger responsibilities are referred from guidelines of Indian Railways.
5. Basic understanding of civic duties taken from NCERT Class 9–10 Civics textbooks.

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