Aubaid Ahmad Akhoon
Nasir Mansoor is a gifted and thought-provoking writer hailing from the picturesque region of Kashmir. Known for his eloquent storytelling and the profound messages embedded within his narratives, he has a remarkable ability to weave together cultural, societal, and administrative issues in a way that deeply resonates with readers. His writings often shine a light on the everyday struggles of ordinary people, presenting them with clarity and depth, while also subtly incorporating his rich Islamic knowledge and moral perspectives.
Nasir Mansoor’s unique approach lies in his ability to capture the essence of daily life and present it through a lens of introspection and thoughtful analysis. His work reflects a deep understanding of the challenges facing society today and inspires readers from all walks of life to reflect on these issues. Whether it’s exploring themes of morality, community welfare, or public responsibility, his articles carry a sense of purpose and a call to action.
Recently, I had the privilege of reading one of his beautifully crafted articles written in the Urdu dialect. The article sheds light on a range of important topics, including the evolution of public transportation, its impact on health concerns, and the pressing need for gender equity in seating arrangements. It was not just a narration of observations but a well-articulated piece filled with insights and subtle lessons for society. With the author’s gracious permission , I have translated this thought-provoking article into English to make it accessible to a broader audience. This translation aims to preserve the spirit of his original message while allowing readers worldwide to connect with his ideas.
Your true duty lies in what your conscience approves!
Author: Nasir Mansoor
Translated By: Aubaid Akhoon
In the past, people’s travel often relied on passenger vehicles, which were used by a third of the population. Those were the days when one would leave home, walk several miles to the bus station, wait for the vehicle, and journey from one district to another. This travel was not mere movement but a mix of reading newspapers, facing trials, and gaining experiences that fostered intellectual growth. However, modern times, with their fast pace, have made people forget these aspects as we have grown increasingly comfort-driven. Those times have now become mere memories.
In my household, for instance, three scooters and two cars have been in service for years—a pattern mirrored in my neighborhood. The extensive use of personal transportation has brought with it various health issues. Many suffer from conditions such as high cholesterol, fatty liver, obesity, and back pain, all rooted in the excessive reliance on personal vehicles. Personally, I have also become a victim of chronic back pain.
For years, my journeys, whether short or long, have almost exclusively been on my scooter. One Friday morning, I planned to attend the Friday prayers in Maisuma, Srinagar. As I picked up my scooter keys, I realized my helmet—a mandatory safety accessory—was missing. Given the shortage of time and the legal and safety risks of riding without a helmet, I decided to travel by public transport that day. Riding a scooter without a helmet is not only a gamble with one’s life but also a violation of the law.
Recently, people have been adhering more strictly to traffic rules, especially after a tragic accident involving a Thar vehicle on the Tengpora Bypass Highway. The accident claimed the lives of several young individuals in their prime, jolting the Traffic Police Department into action. They have since become more vigilant about enforcing traffic regulations and ensuring compliance.
Across Kashmir, the atmosphere is abuzz with traffic police checkpoints, where violators are apprehended, and their vehicles seized. Many scooters are being confiscated due to the absence of licenses. This heightened vigilance is commendable, though it also exposes years of negligence. For instance, an auto-rickshaw driver was found operating without a license for 30 years. While this revelation is a wake-up call for drivers, it also highlights the department’s inefficiency and corruption. Nevertheless, this new traffic control initiative is a positive step toward fostering a sense of accountability and responsibility among the public.
If the authorities continue with their current seriousness, it will bring long-term benefits. However, any return to complacency could lead to even more devastating traffic accidents. The public, too, must act as a responsible and conscientious community.
Having decided against riding without a helmet, I embarked on my journey aboard a government Smart Bus—a rare experience for me, as it was only my fourth time. Upon entering, I noticed a vacant seat toward the back and was struck by the spaciousness of the bus’s interior layout.
I remarked on the spacious aisle to a fellow passenger seated nearby, who responded, “You’ve just boarded; wait and see what happens next.”
Moments later, at the next stop, a crowd of passengers swarmed into the bus, somewhat diminishing my appreciation for the Smart Bus. Among them was an elderly man struggling to stand, and though I hesitated momentarily, my conscience prevailed, and I offered him my seat.
The bus’s interior was equipped with modern amenities, including CCTV cameras with signs stating, “You are under surveillance.” This reassured me of measures taken for the safety of women and protection from pickpockets and hooligans. However, I also noticed that many windows were broken—a result of careless passengers tampering with the bus’s fixtures. This reminded me of a previous journey from Srinagar to Banihal, where I observed the same disregard: broken windows, damaged switches, and littered surroundings. Such behavior reflects the lack of awareness and ethical responsibility in our society.
Our community seems to be spiraling into moral and ethical decay, and without significant efforts to address these issues, the situation could worsen further. Thoughtful discourse and collective action are needed to reverse this trend.
Returning to my seat, I noticed a woman standing due to the bus being overcrowded. The front five or six seats were designated for women, while the rest were reserved for men—a rule dating back to the 1990s when women seldom traveled in public transport. Times have changed; today, women are active in schools, colleges, universities, and workplaces, both government and private.
In 2024, the number of seats allocated to women should ideally match or surpass those reserved for men, given the increased female presence in public spaces. Observing this disparity, I vacated my seat for the woman and stood for the remaining eight kilometers. Thankfully, I experienced neither discomfort nor back pain during this time.
Tailpiece
Nasir Mansoor’s article serves as a multifaceted critique of the societal trends and the challenges faced by modern communities. The reflection begins with a poignant analysis of how the overuse of personal vehicles has led to widespread health issues such as obesity, back pain, and other chronic conditions. These medical conditions are a direct result of sedentary lifestyles brought on by the comfort-driven reliance on personal transportation. The author invites readers to reflect on the impact of modern conveniences on their physical and mental well-being, urging them to reconsider the balance between convenience and the necessity for physical activity. Medical research has long highlighted the link between sedentary behavior and chronic illnesses, emphasizing the importance of integrating physical movement into daily routines to prevent these health issues.
Moreover, Mansoor addresses the importance of traffic regulations and the role of law enforcement in ensuring public safety. The tragic accident that prompted a crackdown on illegal and unsafe practices serves as a stark reminder of the need for diligent oversight and accountability. While he appreciates the newfound efforts by the Traffic Police Department, Mansoor also sheds light on the deep-seated issues of corruption and inefficiency that have plagued the system for years. This emphasizes the need for systemic reforms to ensure that the safety of the public is prioritised over personal interests.
The article also highlights the moral and ethical decline that has seeped into society, as evidenced by the disregard for public property and the lack of respect for others, especially in public spaces. The vandalism of bus fixtures and the failure to properly maintain public amenities point to a broader societal issue: a lack of civic responsibility and accountability. Islam places a strong emphasis on the concept of Amanah (trust), which includes respecting public property and ensuring the well-being of others. By advocating for more responsible behavior in public spaces, the author indirectly calls for a return to these Islamic principles of social ethics, where every individual’s actions are guided by a sense of responsibility and respect for others.
Furthermore, Mansoor brings attention to the issue of gender equity in public transportation. The allocation of seats based on outdated notions of gender roles reflects the need for a re-evaluation of policies in a modern context. Given the increasing participation of women in public life, the author suggests that the number of seats designated for women should be increased to match their growing presence in educational institutions and workplaces. His decision to give up his seat for a woman exemplifies the values of respect and equity, which are central to the teachings of Islam.
Ultimately, Mansoor’s article is a call to action for both individuals and society at large to embrace responsibility, ethical behavior, and fairness. It encourages readers to reflect on their personal actions and make conscious efforts to improve their health, their communities, and the public spaces they share. Through his storytelling, Mansoor offers valuable insights into the importance of maintaining a balance between modern conveniences and traditional values, while also advocating for a more just and ethical society.
(The author is educational columnist, motivational speaker. He is currently working as Sr. EDP Head at SKIE Classes Khanyar/Soura branch and can be reached at Instagram ID: Ubi9305, Email: [email protected])
