‘People Have the Power’ used to sing Patti Smith in 1988 in one of the most powerful rock songs of all time. And I think she couldn’t be more right. People indeed ‘have the power’, sometimes more than they realise, to change things around them, to voice their opinions and to have a say in decisions affecting their lives. This blog is going to explain to you small ways in which you can bring about a change.
1. Stop blaming, start acting!
Hands up those of you who ever blamed the government for your city’s or neighbourhood’s problems. Hmm, just as I thought! All of us, at least once in our lives, have blamed the government for the poor conditions of roads, for garbage piled up at the corner of our buildings and for other civic issues. However, have you ever stopped and asked yourself if you too were part of the problem? Government and citizens share equal responsibility for addressing the challenges a city face. So, what is your role as a citizen? Take action! Find the right channel to address your grievances. Most of the local government agencies such as BBMP, BMC, or NMC have call centres, apps, and websites through which you can report issues and get them solved. Several such agencies are also quite active on social media, all you need to do is tag them in a post or write to them and they will raise a complaint on your behalf.
Do all the problems get solved in a matter of a few hours? That depends on a lot of factors including how well-serviced is the ward or the kind of issue reported. Nevertheless, do not get demotivated if the issue doesn’t get solved immediately. Persevere, follow up, and don’t lose hope!
Would you like to go a step ahead? Join your area’s Resident Welfare Association.
2. Received a WhatsApp forward? Think twice before sharing
Every day, we receive a huge amount of information through social media, more than we are able to process. Even though this has undeniable great benefits and perks, as a responsible citizen, you should have the ability to sift truth from falsehood and the intellectual accountability for the information you pass to others. In simple terms, did you receive the link to a piece of news you’re not sure if it’s true or fake? Think twice, check photos and media carefully, verify with other sources and, if a news is fake, stop the spread! WhatsApp FAQ section has an interesting list of tips you can follow to help prevent the spread of rumours and fake news. There are many popular fact-checking platforms and news sites you can find using Google or any other search engine. You can also check different views of the same news by reading different national, and regional newspapers and magazines.
3. Be compassionate towards all animals
Did you know that Art. 51A(g) of the Constitution of India states that it is a fundamental duty of every citizen ‘to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures’? From keeping water and feeding animals to ensuring they are given their shots and neutered or spayed, there are several ways in which you can make life easier for birds, animals, and insects.
4. Volunteer
What’s the cause you have at heart? Is it animal welfare? Education? Gender equity? Find an NGO in your area and volunteer with them! Do you think you don’t have enough time or can’t leave your house for a long time? Most NGOs have various requirements, which might include managing their social media pages, fundraising, or translating their material into various languages.
5. Encourage others to make a change
So you think you’re an active citizen now? Well, there is one last (but not the least) important facet of active citizenship: Influencing others to change and make a change. To really make an impact, you need to encourage your friends, family, and neighbours to act for social change, thus creating a community of active citizens.
Pictures credit: rawpixel.com (Freepik.com)
This blog is written by Valentina Gazzola. Valentina is an Executive, Branding and Communications (Consultant) at CMCA.
Share this post
CMCA has been accredited by Credibility Alliance under the category “Desirability Norms” – for good governance, accountability, transparency and continuous improvements. Credibility Alliance is a consortium of voluntary organisations committed to enhancing accountability and transparency in the voluntary sector through good governance.
