Apropos the article "Where are the smart citizens?" (July 9), it is an undisputed truth that smart citizens make smart cities and not the other way round. The question is how to create and nourish smart citizens.
Strangely, in our country human behaviour is assessed on what "other" people say about a person. The writer has rightly observed the behaviour codes of our homes and public places are different. The lesson that they should be the same has to start from our homes only.
I remember my childhood days when my mother would not serve me breakfast unless I brushed my teeth the way it was recommended. My children have been able to inculcate proper brushing behaviour, thanks to my uncompromising mother.
Similarly, smart behaviour in public places has to be enforced for all citizens. Smart cities will remain a dream project unless smart behaviour is enforced and ensured with a parallel effort by the government to spend money judiciously in developing facilities to enhance mobility in cities.
Ashok Chakrabarty, Kolkata
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