CITIZEN - Be Responsible.

(Amit and Rohan are sipping tea, watching the news on a nearby TV. The news is about rising inflation and poor governance. A few other people stand nearby, casually listening.)

Rohan: (shaking his head) This country is going to the dogs! The government is useless. Prices are skyrocketing, corruption is everywhere, and nothing ever changes!

Amit: (calmly) Hmm… You sound very concerned. Tell me, whom did you vote for in the last election?

Rohan: (awkward pause) Uhh… I didn’t vote. What’s the point? All politicians are the same!

Amit: (firmly) Then you have no right to complain.

Rohan: (defensive) What do you mean? I’m a taxpayer! I have every right to criticize.

Amit: (leaning forward) Paying taxes is not the only duty of a citizen, Rohan. Voting is your primary responsibility. If you don’t even bother to choose your leaders, then how can you blame the system?

Rohan: (shrugging) One vote won’t change anything.

(A few bystanders turn their heads, sensing a debate brewing. The tea stall owner, Chacha, slows down his work to listen.)

Amit: That’s the problem! Everyone thinks their one vote doesn’t matter. But millions of people like you, who sit back and do nothing, create the mess you’re complaining about! You handed over your power and now you whine about its misuse? That’s hypocrisy!

Rohan: (frustrated) Even if I vote, the country won’t change overnight!

Amit: (nodding) True. But change doesn’t happen by magic. It starts with action. First, vote. Second, hold the elected leaders accountable. Third, be a good citizen beyond just elections. Follow laws, respect public property, contribute to society. Nation-building is not a one-time event—it’s a continuous effort!

(The rickshaw driver, who had been sipping his tea, now steps forward.)

Rickshaw Driver: (chiming in) That’s true, bhaiyya. Half the people in my colony don’t even go to vote and later complain about potholes!

Rohan: (scoffs) That’s a lot of effort for nothing.

Amit: For nothing? You enjoy the roads, the security, the services provided by the government, yet you refuse to do your part? Imagine if soldiers thought, “Why should I defend the country?” Imagine if doctors thought, “Why should I treat patients?” Every small effort counts, Rohan!

Rohan: (rolling eyes) Yeah, yeah. You keep talking about ‘duty’. What about the government’s duty? They never fulfill their promises!

Chacha (Tea Stall Owner): (chuckling) Arrey beta, first do what you’re supposed to do, then demand from others. Have you even read the government’s promises?

Rohan: (muttering) They all lie anyway.

College Student: (joining in) But if you don’t vote, how will you ever bring change? Protesting online won’t fix things!

Rohan: (mocking) Oh great, so now I should go campaigning for politicians?

Amit: (leaning in, voice rising) No one is asking you to campaign! Just vote! Be aware! Question your leaders after voting! You sit here, ranting, but what action have you taken?

(A small crowd has now formed. An office worker, who had been silently listening, finally speaks up.)

Office Worker: Look, I do vote. I even file complaints about road conditions, water supply, and all. But nothing changes! The system is broken!

Rohan: (pointing at the office worker) See! Even people who vote are fed up! What’s the point? Maybe we should just give up hope!

(A moment of silence. The crowd looks at Amit for a response. He takes a deep breath and speaks with conviction.)

Amit: Giving up is easy. But do you know what happens when good citizens give up? The corrupt and the lazy win. The system isn’t perfect, but progress doesn’t happen by quitting. Look around—schools, hospitals, metros, digital advancements… none of these would exist if everyone just gave up! If people before us had lost hope, we wouldn’t even have the right to speak freely today!

(The crowd murmurs in agreement. Even Rohan seems unsure now.)

Amit: You’re frustrated, and that’s fair. But frustration should lead to action, not surrender. So yes, vote. Raise complaints. And if those in power don’t listen, change them. Change comes from persistence, not passivity!

(Rohan looks away, deep in thought, realizing Amit is right. The TV plays an advertisement reminding citizens to vote in the upcoming elections.)