As we prepare to bid adieu to 2011, we are summing up the positives and negatives that we had in the year, while at the same time preparing for a fresh start to the New Year.

I had been jotting down NYR (New Year Resolutions) in my mind when suddenly a thought, as to why we could not make resolutions ‘as a citizen’ came to mind.

Being witness to the year gone by, with scandals, corruption, inflation, improper functioning of the system, and a bunch of revolutions; I thought that somewhere the citizens i.e. WE are also responsible at the root level.

As there is a fact standing tall, every system starts and ends with its basic entity.

So, the first point in my list is “To change the Attitude”, be responsible, and it will all fall in place. Change is not just about changing the way you are, but it is more about changing the through process…towards yourself, your people, your city, your country.

Let’s take our city for example, where we all as citizens of the place know the importance that flora and lakes in our city hold for its very existence. Even then, you would find lakes in a miserable shape, the mess on the tourist spots and the loitering in the virgin spots of the city. What is needed is an ‘Attitude Makeover’.

Second is, “To Vote”, chose your leader or your representative correctly and Vote. ‘Every Vote Counts’ is true in every essence. Rather than cursing the system of the people behind the system, let us resolve to be a part of the selection process. It’s our right and our duty at the same time.

Thirdly, “Never Bribe, Whatsoever”; it is an action that has the reaction. It is us citizens who saw a bribe as an easy way to get tasks done.

Accordingly the connoisseurs in the high chairs and the low chairs saw this as a good means of income…to do with a bribe what they needed to do as a duty.

Hence stay away from bribing and your work will be done, as it is your fundamental right.

Next, “Follow the Rules”, as rules have got us so far, developed our nation, developed a system. Needing to break the rules is the favorite past time of the nation. Be it traffic rules, behavior rules, social rules, whatever.

Following simple rules will do away with the need for bribing, favors, shortcuts and make things simpler. Raising a voice to seek our right will be far more simpler and effective if rules are followed.

Lastly, “Contribute in Society”, as a society is a group of people and we are part of it. If we, at the grass root levels decide to contribute in any of the many ways, be it resolving to keep the neighborhood clean, lakes clean, social causes, etc. then there will be no need of passing on the blame.

All it needs is ‘will to do’, while time and/or money have nothing to do with it.

It looks like an academic ‘list of resolutions’, but honestly, if one thinks about ‘ourselves’ rather than about ‘myself’, then this can happen.  So all my fellow UDZens, lets take the call this day and spend the first Sunday of the year 2012 in resolving to eliminate lethargy within the society!

Wish you a very Happy New Year.

Vajrasar (Jason Smith)