Varun Suri

She spent nearly eight hours traveling by train. Throughout the journey, she drank bottled water, ate peanuts, enjoyed snacks, and used several disposable items. But instead of keeping the trash with her until the end or using the dustbin nearby, she quietly pushed every empty bottle, wrapper, and packet under the seat. The disappointing part is that the dustbin wasn't missing—it was right there in the coach. This wasn't about convenience; it was simply a choice. It takes only a few seconds to throw waste into a bin, but those few seconds make a huge difference to everyone traveling after you. Ironically, many people who leave behind a mess are also the first to complain that trains are dirty or that the railways don't maintain cleanliness. The truth is, no cleaning staff can keep public transport spotless if passengers themselves refuse to do the bare minimum. Cleanliness begins with personal responsibility, not just government action. A train is a shared space, not someone's private room. The way we treat it reflects our civic sense and respect for others. If someone deliberately litters despite having a dustbin within reach, do you think they should face a hefty fine?