16/06/2026
"Civic pride is not about slogans, it is about habits."
https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/14/sport/japan-fans-tidy-world-cup
I came across a story about Japanese football fans staying behind after matches to clean the stadium. It reminded me of something I have been saying for years in Nepal: big visions and big aspirations are achieved when we learn to do the small things right.
I have seen professionals throw trash on the street. I have seen students toss garbage out of school buses, only to participate in Environment Day rallies a few days later. Celebrating June 5 is not enough. Caring for the environment has to become a habit.
A few days ago, while driving with my family, I saw a mother unwrap a chewing gum and throw the plastic onto the road. I stopped and politely requested that she pick it up. She refused. I then told her, “Balen Shah is not going to come and pick this up.”
She kept walking ignoring my request. I felt really sorry for her son who was following her during the whole conversation.
That moment reminded me of an important truth: the future of Nepal will not be determined only by the people sitting in Singha Durbar. It will be determined by the mindset of ordinary Nepalis—as citizens, parents, neighbors, and community builders.
Too often we look for someone else to fix our problems. Yet nation-building begins with personal responsibility. It begins when we decide not to litter. It begins when we respect public spaces. It begins when we think about how our actions affect others.
The same principle applies beyond garbage. Whether it is responsible use of social media, respecting people's privacy, or contributing positively to our communities, every small action shapes the society we become.
We may not have the authority to tell others what to do. But we always have the ability to lead by example. Pick up a piece of trash. Keep your surroundings clean. Show kindness. If others follow, wonderful. If not, be patient and keep doing the right thing.
The Japanese are teaching the world that civic pride is not about slogans; it is about habits.
Imagine if all of us in Nepal embraced that same mindset. Our streets would be cleaner, our communities stronger, and our dreams for the nation much closer to reality.
Nobody can predict how the 48 teams will do at the FIFA World Cup this summer, but if you wanted to gamble on Japan being the tidiest team, you’d surely clean up at the bookies. Thanks to a societal expectation of all Japanese people, you’d never know they were there.
