Ahead of Commonwealth Games, Kiran Bedi releases book on civic sense

Moved by the 'not so good' image of civic sense of Indians among foreigners, India's first woman IPS officer Kiran Bedi has brought out suggestions for laymen to improve their civic behaviour ahead of the Commonwealth Games.

"There are article after article in foreign nations is calling Indians unhygienic and dirty. Being a true Indian, I wanted to change the scenario," says Kiran Bedi who has collaborated with socio-political thinker, Pavan Chaudary for the book "Broom and Groom."

With an introduction by former president APJ Abdul Kalam, the hardbound book suggests globally accepted manners and etiquette and features a muppet and other illustrations on
its pages.

"Foreigners hug and hold hands in public. We should not stand and start staring at them, else they will carry the bad impression of us back home," Bedi told PTI while releasing the book here last evening.

Co-author Pavan Chaudary says the government should stop tweaking and wake up before the games to provide good sanitation and hygiene conditions.

"India was first cradle of civic virtue in the world as Indus and Mohanjodaro civilisations had irrefutable evidence of good sanitation and code of conduct," he says.

Invoking Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, he said,"Gandhi ji said our Swaraj will stink if we do not clean our backyards. But, post-independence our governments have failed to provide education and infrastructure for good hygeine."

According to the authors, the idea to write the book came due to appalling living conditions in our country and from their desire of not seeing India lag behind other nations in terms of civility.

"The book tells that we are not giving up. We are starting a revival and revolution of civility. The book is for civil responsibility," says Bedi.

The book focusses on civic sense issue such as not spitting paan at public places, ogling at female co-passengers in an elevator or quarrelling in front of a guest at home.

Catering to a variety of sections ranging from the elite to government servants and domestic help, the book covers such issues such as restaurant and banquet manners, auditoria or airplanes must do's, gymnasium and sports field behaviour, greeting properly as well as being a good host or house guest.

Anu Anand, publisher, Wisdom Village (publication division) says," We are happy to introduce the book just before CWG. We hope our readers will learn and put their best foot forward before our guests from 54 countries during the Delhi CWG."

The publisher has started a website and blog to get the feedback from the readers and their suggestions will be included in the next edition of the book. The book would also be released in Hindi and other regional languages soon.

"Keeping a good hygiene has been brought out very nicely. Each page in the book is useful to improve the way of life," says Kalam in his foreward.