2403: Ashamed to Witness

As I am a free bird now, working as a freelancer, I keep visiting multiple institutions across domains. During one such visit, I was mesmerized by the truly international setup and vibes on the campus at least when I first entered.

A wonderful fragrance welcomed me. One of the campus canteens was located right at the entrance/exit. With touchscreen-enabled kiosks and a vibrant menu, every Gen-Z demand seemed to be fulfilled. The institution had clearly invested in creating an “international” environment.

The campus was huge. The buildings were impressive. Air-conditioned spaces, top-class amenities everything looked world-class. I was there for more than four hours; I had arrived early in the morning and left after a late lunch.

But the moment I stepped out of the food court area, what I witnessed left me deeply disturbed.

The staircases, lawns, benches, and the entire surroundings were filled with half-eaten food left behind. Wrappers were scattered everywhere. Plastic and glass soft drink bottles lay around, making the floors sticky and spoiled. The list of such sights seemed endless.

This is not what “international standards” mean.

Across the world, people respect hygiene, cleanliness, food, and public spaces. These values become part of their DNA  taught since school and practiced at home, not merely spoken about but demonstrated through daily behavior.

Then why do today’s students demand international campuses, international teaching styles, international exposure but practice responsibility only partially?

When I casually asked a few students about the mess, the reply stunned me.

“Maids are there. It’s their job. They will take care.”

I was taken aback.

What a way of thinking.

For a moment, I was truly speechless.

Never insult food, dear youngsters. Take utmost care of our environment. No one has given us the right to spoil it.

And surely, this is not what being young means.