An elderly lady in Kozhikode, Kerala is being appreciated for her amazing civic act that has been attracting much attention. She courageously braved an act to stop a scooty rider who was trying to misuse the footpath and sent him back to the road.
Her resilience and boldness underscore the need for ordinary people alike to protect their rights regardless of anything in an everyday situation. The scooty rider was attempting to go around the traffic by riding on the pedestrian footpath. The pedestrian footpath is a means for footwalkers, but in many cities it’s regularly misused by vehicles.
The old woman could see the trouble so she intervened. She held firm in front of the rider, blocked his path, and demanded that he return to the road. It wasn’t an act of aggression, it was a determined gesture that it was possible to show that civic sense and civic responsibility could still be exercised at a respectful level. The rider eventually turned back, accepting her stand.
The small but potent act is an instance of civic sense when people understand and embrace a sense of duty and responsibility to respect public space and laws. Footpaths are built for pedestrians, especially the most delicate members of society: young people, the elderly and people with disabilities. Not only are they harmful to those who use them, but their misuse in the context of vehicles endangers people, and in general reflects disrespect for the public’s safety.
By stopping him, she showed the world that we are not only to make rules to enforce by the authorities, but to obey them as citizens, too. Her courage is proof that people can make a difference to upholding safety and order.
Its incident has earned some praise from local residents and social media users. She was praised as brave and responsible, and called to remember civic duty. But where violations are seldom stopped, her testimony reminds that everyday citizens can influence a disciplined citizenry.
The act of the elderly woman in Kozhikode is not only a confrontation, but a teaching in the act of civic responsibility. By keeping a scooty rider from abusing the footpath, she proved that bravery and sheer will can preserve the common good. And it was, because her example demonstrates that real change starts with individuals who take pride in their community. For Kerala, and beyond, it is a poignant reminder that rules must be respected, and that the capacity to care for the other does need to be preserved.
