Discipline - will thou Resurrect?

Discipline has many manifestations prevalent in our life ranging from our personal traits to our societal, family and professional Eco systems.  We may not feel it's existence but the lack of it always makes itself visible when when the generally accepted norms in the Eco system are not complied with. Yes, these norms may related to culture, race, religion geography but the lack of compliance for sure causes angst and discontent in the respective societies.

Coming to our own country with so many instances of lack of discipline rearing it ugly head ; be it the brutal rape of Nirbhaya or the impunity with which people violate traffic or rich politicians heirs running amuck or managers only taking a flexi time and "working from home" with consistency. The people while grumbling take all this in their stride and move ahead

What can be done to resurrect the conformance to discipline? There are three dimensions through which this can be accomplished in my view - Fear, Embarrassment and hitting where it matters most Monetary Penalties. 

 Here are a few situations which were actual instances or hypothetical wishes which can enable this resurrection if broad based.

To start with instances from the place I live. During limited water supply due to water scarcity, people were keeping taps open while leaving their homes despite requests. When the association imposed penalties and displaying their names on the notice boards, it stopped. Similar instance where all unwanted stuff was flushed into drainage. The action was penalties, displaying on notice boards and insisting that everyone from the respective block have to be present she the clogging drains were cleared. The actions worked - A combination of Fear, Embarrassment and Monetary Penalties did it. 

Is the professional world any different? Let us look at a change being introduced - be it on a process or standardization through an innovative solution. The progress in many cases is slow despite lot of education and propaganda on the benefits. A fair sized group still resist since it will reduce their criticality. The moment it is mandated through their objectives, everyone goes head over heels to comply. The reason??- fear of getting a bad appraisal, Embarrassment due to peers progressing ahead of them and monetary penalties due to no pay hikes.

Coming on to the society; - did any more bank robberies happen in Chennai after the commendable and swift action by Chennai police? Will the disqualification of convicted politicians reduce criminals in politics? The other day day in Pune, I read that there is a directive to penalize erring drivers who jump signals and possible revocation of licenses for rash driving? Would drug smuggling and brutal rapes of women and even kids like what routinely happens in Delhi stop if the punishment is swift and severe as given in the middle eastern countries. Let the human rights activists cry hoarse - but my belief is that this will be effective. But will it happen???

 To conclude; this is not a prescription. But looking at the instances, some of which I have stated, then this define lay appears to be a way forward - As the say in Sanskrit - SAMA, DHANA, BEDHA and DHANDAM. The last approach of these is the one that our country needs now.

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