As another year draws to a close, most of us look forward with optimism, new plans, new resolutions, and fresh expectations from the system, the government, and the country. But somewhere, deep inside, we know that as a nation we still have a long journey ahead of us. And the first obstacle isn’t policy, infrastructure, or leadership, it is our own civic mindset.
Every day we see people driving on the wrong side of the road, throwing trash wherever they feel like, spitting in public spaces, or even damaging basic amenities like footpath tiles — and yet we are quick to point fingers at the government when things go wrong. But who are these officials, administrators, and politicians we love to blame? They come from the same society as us, shaped by the same habits, same culture, and the same casual approach toward discipline.
Even every year when thousands of young people clear competitive exams and enter government service with the intent to “serve the nation,” we rarely see the kind of transformational change we hope for. The reason is simple; they don’t enter the system with a different mindset; they carry forward the same societal behaviors we all grew up with.
As someone working in operational excellence, I have seen this at workplaces too, processes improve only when people believe in discipline, ownership, and long-term thinking. Without that, no system sustains improvement.
Another challenge we carry as a country is our obsession with short-term gains. From childhood, we are trained to either crack exams or become employable. Our education system and social expectations rarely encourage curiosity, experimentation, or research-driven innovation. Over time, this becomes a structural bottleneck. A nation with the world’s largest population still remains dependent on others for critical technologies.
We celebrate talent, but we do not nurture inventors.
We reward compliance, but we rarely encourage questioning.
A society that does not promote innovation eventually becomes a consumer, not a creator.
If change has to come, it must begin at the societal level, in how we think, behave, and participate as citizens. The land that once produced deep knowledge, sciences, philosophies, and the Vedas should not remain satisfied with mediocrity or dependency. Our heritage is not just something to talk about, it should inspire us to build, research, and innovate again.
With the new year approaching, this is perhaps the best time to reflect. We, the people of India, must rediscover discipline in everyday life, whether on roads, in public spaces, or at workplaces. We must encourage innovation, respect research, and think beyond short-term wins. And yes; as a nation, we must also be strong, brave, and prepared to defend ourselves proactively when needed, rather than hiding behind comfortable narratives.
Real change will not be delivered by any government alone. It has to be lived, practiced, and demonstrated by citizens, one action at a time.
If we truly wish to bring back our glory, it will not happen through slogans or speeches, it will come through discipline, innovation, courage, and a mindset that puts long-term national progress ahead of short-term convenience.
And that journey begins with each one of us.
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