An old lady struggles to get inside a bus and all the guys look out of the window as if they are looking for someone so that they will be able to ignore that lady. When I offer her my seat, they are relived and even give me a satirical smile as if to say, ‘Khub gare bhando hola’ (Must be thinking I have done a great deed). To change the attitude of people, we need to change ourselves first. Even females, elderly and differently-abled people should be ready to speak up and take what is rightfully theirs. Plus drivers and conductors should try to imbibe the habit among passengers to respect seats reserved for females and

differnetly-abled people.

— Priti Thapa

n It has always been a problem with most Nepalis that we are far from practically implementing rules and regulations, be it in politics or general life. I personally don’t support the idea of writing ‘Reserved for females’ because I don’t approve of it that any fit and fine female be given a special seat just because she is a ‘female’. It should be more for the elderly, differently-abled, pregnant women and a mother carrying a small child. We read about moral values in primary grades and then forget everything as we mature. If it benefits your nation, then why not be a fifth grader again? If you offer your seat to a needy person today, one day or the other your friend will learn from you. If a single effort of yours can change a bad system, why not change yourself first?

— Srijana Regmi

n Although notices are posted on every public vehicle, people ignore those. Plans fail when we fail to work on that plan seriously. For any change to come in a society, we should take the initiation ourselves without expecting others to do it. It is our moral duty to ensure that the elderly, differently-abled as well as other needy ones are comfortable. With the advancement in people’s life they are forgetting their values, moral duties, responsibilities and above all humanity. I think we should keep our humanity alive for the sake of proper and harmonious living.

— Rushna Shrestha

n Such behaviours demonstrate our insensible mentality and rudeness ruling over us. Lack of awareness among passengers and negligence of drivers and conductors are some of the reasons for this. Unless a passenger is aware of their rights, they will have to face such problems repeatedly. Conductors should make sure that the allocated seats for a particular group is not used by others. In case others occupy such reserved seats, it is the duty of conductors and drivers to vacate them for women, elderly and differently-abled people.

— Ambika Pandey,

Chitwan

n Occupying reserved seats for females or the differently-abled is happening due to lack of consciousness. With modernisation people have developed a selfish attitude. Every person thinks about themselves and their convenience rather than being benevolent. Reserved seats for females and differently-abled will be properly used only if vehicle staff, passengers and authorities concerned cooperate to implement these provisions. Just making a rule is not enough, but proper implementation is required for it to be a success.

— Khem Regmi

n Of course we see notices on public vehicles but it is just a formality. No matter how much these things are written, we follow the saying ‘first come, first served’. In fact to some degree it is practical as well. No one would like to give his or her seat to others and stand on one foot, suffocating all the way. Most of us just ignore the sign, but as humans we ought to see it. When we see old people, women standing in vehicles, we should have some conscience left within us to help them out. Whether in a public vehicle or a queue, we ought to be supportive. A person with high ideals should not be self-centred. This should be realised by every citizen.

— Pranit Sharma,

Balaju

n Though some seats are reserved for women and differently-abled people, these people never get those seats. Usually people act indifferent and never give needy people those reserved seats. But people like us should not forget our responsibilities as we are living in a society. Every time we see elderly people, women or differently-abled people standing, we should have the decency to offer our seats to them and behave like a responsible citizen. Although, we might have to face a little discomfort, we should respect the rights of such people and realise our responsibility towards fellow citizens.

— Adhish Gorkhali

n We can help differently-abled, pregnant women, elderly and ill people by offering them our seats. Even if we are standing, we can ask young and healthy people to offer their seats to those in need. If necessary, we should not hesitate to remind them that those seats are reserved for these groups of people.

— Cool Cristofer,

Lakeside

n If we start with ourselves, then we can even change the whole world. If we really feel that we are the civilised beings of this society, we should never act inhumanely towards these needy people. We should always be ready to help and support them.

— Kalyani Devkota, Gorkha

n We have to change our mindset first. The seats reserved for females or differently-abled people are only for them. We have no right to use those seats. Instead of using their seat, we should be ready to give up our seats for them. We should understand that they need our co-operation and should always keep in mind that we should live helping and understanding others.

— Chaadani Khadka, Dillibazaar

n People today seem to have moved away from cooperation and courtesy. Seat reservations for differently-abled and females in public vehicles have been a mere notification with no worth. However, we must use our conscience and morality to determine what is right and wrong. We have to start helping people from our own level even if it is an individual effort. A single person’s initiative can make an impact on hundreds of others. We should be self-motivated to inspire others as well. For instance, we can give up our seats for the elderly and differently-abled.

— Samana Tuladhar

n The most general thing is the feeling of brotherhood and sisterhood that a citizen feels for the other. Unless one realises other’s problems as his/her own, decency doesn’t develop in the people. In my view, we as members of society, have only two options to help to implement these moral principles. First, let the people develop and spread these moral values among wide range of people. The internal feeling of humanity, kindness, and helpfulness will be strengthened in people and they will be ready to help others if moral values are developed in them. So, people are needed to be encouraged and motivated in one way or another. Another option is to make the moral judgements and values mandatory for all members of society. And anyone who do not obey, should be punished by the law of nation strictly.

— Bikal Shrestha

n People think for themselves and not for others. Everybody wants to have a comfortable journey. However, it is very difficult to travel in public vehicles as people are forced to travel in overcrowded vehicles with hardly any space to even stand. The first thing is to improve this situation. For this we can increase the number of vehicles providing better transportation facility to the public. Further public awareness campaigns regarding effective implementation of notices written in vehicles can be conducted.

— DB Florence

n Sacrificing ones own comfort for other’s sake is rather a rare thing to do these days. But it is totally uncivilised and mannerless to enjoy a seat and see the helpless standing. People should be more sympathetic and respectful towards others. To change the world an individual needs to change first. So, start spreading good deeds from your side and let the world follow you reviving

decency.

— Rajani Maharjan

n Education is the backbone of civilisation. If we see in other countries where people sitting on seats reserved for a certain group, people get up and offer it to females, ladies with infants, differently-abled people. It has to do with something called conditioning factor. An individual does not have to go to another country to learn the above nor do we need lots of money to think more justly, but one does need a feeling of living in a fair and just system, a system which respects and does not allow the unjust to go on. A person has to build up some moral fibre within him or her to behave justly with others, and if he or she cannot be made aware then they are truly handicapped in a big way and hence should be given the seat first.

— Neil Mehta

n Although seats are reserved for females and

differently-abled people, no one ever seems to take notice of it. I think these people won’t change their behaviour, however someone who is aware of such matters must step forward and teach such people about proper manners. But the other fact is that even drivers and conductors don’t seem to care about reservation of seats. Even if we can’t help a mother get a seat, we can hold her baby.

— Sareeta Shakya

n As a member of society, we can show some decency by leaving our seat for a mother carrying her child or a differently-abled person, or we can adjust the seat among us. Simply following the notice and abiding by it, and if anybody doesn’t, trying to educate him/her at the scene without involving in any sort of force is what can be done, to bring about this change. I guess people are decent enough to learn from one another. The only thing is that one has to start. It can be you or me, slowly society will change.

— Ramesh Singh

n In my opinion all that it takes to bring about such decency in our lives is a little bit of thoughtfulness and a kind heart. One should always remember that we may have to go through the same things sooner or later. So, if we can show any kindness or any good that we can do to any human being, we must do it now.

— Anuja Koirala

n No one would prefer standing on a crowded bus. It is fair that you come first and you get the seat. But there are many who need the seats more than we do. In such cases, we must be responsible enough to give up our seats. By doing this, we would not only be helping someone needy, but also inspire others around us to do such kind of deeds.

— Sneha Singh

n Rules are only rules if they are strictly implemented. Just by sticking notice on walls is not going to be enough. We should have a feeling of humanity. Seeing a mother standing with a baby in her arms and us enjoying a comfortable journey in a seat is really pathetic. Being a civilised citizen we all have to think about it. We should learn to create change by changing our habit first.

— Susmita

Dhaubhadel

n These things can be implemented by conductors too. They can ask men who are sitting in reserved seats to leave it for a mother carrying a child or for differently-abled people. Perhaps those who sit in these seats should be penalised. People should raise their voice to implement these things. One should have the courage to ask for their own rights and if they don’t get it, they should be able to fight for it.

— Pratibha Chhetri