I am deeply concern over the recent wreckage of the Kolkata stadium, which starkly illustrates the uncivic behaviour that has become all too common in our public spaces. The incident not only resulted in massive property damage but also highlighted a broader societal issue: the chronic lack of civic responsibility among many of our fellow citizens. While it is easy to point to overpopulation as a convenient scapegoat, the facts tell a different story. Last year’s SFX exposition attracted an equally large crowd, yet it passed without the chaos and destruction witnessed at the stadium. Litter was present, as it often is, but the event remained largely orderly. The problem lies not in the number of people but in the quality of the crowd and the regional and political environments from which they emerge. The stadium disaster, like many stampedes and acts of mass destruction, reflects a breakdown in social etiquette, inadequate crowd‘management practices, and, regrettably, a disregard for communal well‘being. Only by fostering a sense of collective responsibility can we hope to prevent future tragedies and present a more positive image of our nation to the world.
