DO YOU HAVE 10 MINUTES FOR THE CITY? - I often speak of development as something that can only be attained by a balance between the government, private enterprise and society, and I get one question a lot - how much can ordinary people really do? 1/n
A lot, actually. And this week is a good one to point out why. A few days ago the 11th edition of the Namma Bengaluru awards was launched. They are a kind of thank-you from the citizens to many people for their contribution to the city and its people. (nammabengaluruawards.org)
Over the years, the awards have been given to nearly 100 people - regular citizens, bureaucrats, politicians, journalists, entrepreneurs, pourakarmikas, policemen, youth. Concerned, problem-solving people who make the city better really do exist; in fact there is a lot of them.
That makes the whole thing more personal. Each of us could ask ourselves, 'if there are so many people doing wonderful things for the city, why not me too?' In fact, that's a big part of the reason why awards are given - to encourage others to strive to earn them too.
The first rebuttal to this suggestion is very predictable. 'But I have a family. A job. Responsibilities to my parents. Surely I can't leave all those and spend time trying to fix things that are so broken. Plus it could all just be a waste, and nothing might ever come of it'.
Yes and no. Everyone has a family. And almost everyone has a job too. There's no special species of ordinary citizens leading their normal lives. What distinguishes those who try to make things better is they know something others don't - it only takes a few minutes each day.
Contrary to the common perception that superhuman efforts are needed to make things better, it only takes a little effort. It's not the quantum of time that matters, but the persistence of one's efforts. A little every single day is often enough. About 10-15 minutes, I'd say.
Do you have 10 minutes for your city? A very large number of people will say 'yes' if they're asked this question. So I wrote a little note about how just that little bit of time doing the right things, can make a world of difference. I called it the Seven 4-Letter Words'.
This is a set of things one can do at a steady rhythm that will be really impactful and also make one's own life experiences richer. I've taught this to lots of young people, and many have come back to say it works. Here's a link to a fuller explanation - ashwinmahesh.in/post/2013/10/3…
And that's what the heroes of the city, who are recognised by the NBA and many other awards, really do. Sweepers, clerks, entrepreneurs, copy-writers, students, freedom fighters, and more. They have one thing in common - they LIVE with the rhythm of making things better.
During last year's awards ceremony the former Chief Justice of India MN Venkatachalaiah said it is by living 'for the city' that one becomes a Bengalurean, not merely by living 'in the city'. The seven words are a way to make it a natural part of one's life to live for the city.
But what are these words? Any why 4-letter words, of all things, with the connotation that has! Simple - the words have four letters each, and that's one reason. The second reason is that contrary to our intuition about 4-letter words, these are good words.
Read, play, cook, vote, give, make and meet. Can you do any one of those for a few minutes each day? I think of it as a kind of quirky civics class. Read 10 pages of a book a day. Play a team sport once a week. Give something to those in need. Meet strangers. It's easy.
Development is a rhythm. It is sustained by a balance between the state, market and society. And in every society, it is sustained by the everyday habits of people. Ten minutes a day. Seven 4-letter words. Try it.
