One Law you wish to implement and everyone has to follow it!

 

The Blogchatter prompt for this week under their #BlogchatterBlogHop series ,"One Law you wish to implement and everyone has to follow it" sounds in a way strange. One would have thought that when something is law,  "everyone has to follow it." After all it is the basic principle in law that "ignorantia juris non excusat" meaning  ignorance of a law is no excuse or defence. As for example, I cannot go into one way road and say "Sorry, I was not aware of it". Yes, in principle, laws are meant to be jolly well followed! 

However, I suppose the #BlogHop prompt has a point particularly with respect to a country like India. As for example, there is a legislation called the "Dowry prohibition Act 1961". From the way it is observed in the county, it would appear that no such act exists or ever existed. Neither is the groom's family ashamed to ask for dowry nor the bride's family willing to evoke the 'Dowry prevention Act' to penalize them for demanding it.  The Scheduled caste and Scheduled tribe (Prevention of Atrocities Act) 1989 does not deter atrocities being commited, particularly in the rural areas of the country. All this tends to suggest that if the society is not  simultaneously educated and the majority of the citizens do not become aware of the need and importance of the law, no amount of legislation would  make any difference. 

Against this background,  I would like at the outset to place on record a word of caution. The law that "I wish to implement" is unlikely to work on the strength of  arm twisting  or persuasion alone. A lot of education is necessary about the advantages in terms of physical and mental well being of the citizens on the implementation of the law. So much so, the well informed citizens will not have a feeling "I have to follow it", instead they would tell themselves "I want to follow it".  Put simply, the law I wish to implement stipulates that anyone stepping out from his/her residence for the day shall smile for the first fifteen minutes- a warm, sincere smile shall be directed at anyone and everyone whom the citizens come across during the fifteen minutes. This means a smile goes to the person irrespective of him/her being a friend or foe, a rich man or a beggar, an educated person or a simpleton.  

It has been said that "Your smile is the most important thing you wear".  You have heard the Joe Goodwin lyric  "When you are smiling, the whole world smiles with you!"  Further, it has been said tht it takes 43 muscles to frown while you only need 17 muscles to smile. Therefore, with less effort you have and generate happiness as against the negative experience caused by frowning that requires more effort.

This law that I am contemplating could lead to making more friends, even amongst total strangers! There would be no awkwardness; after all it is the law of the land. Smiles touch the many cells of our body in a beneficial way meaning physical and mental well being. Smiling provides a mood boost and helps our body to release cortisol and endorphins leading to lower blood pressure, enhanced endurance, reduced pain & stress, and strengthened immune system.

 So then what are we waiting for? Are our leaders willing to take the challenge of educating the common man ?  Are our legislators listening? Oh, I guess they will pay attention only and when the treasury and opposition benches stop seeing each other as enemies and perceive the nation as the first priority. This again could happen only after they are done with howling and shouting at each other to their heart's content in the "temples of democracy". 

• NB: This post is a part of Blogchatter Blog Hop www.theblogchatter.com