Coming up: lessons in civic sense for Delhiites

Delhiites will be given lessons in civic sense and etiquettes ahead of the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi next year. The Delhi government is preparing to act on Home Minister P Chidambaram's advice to the citizens in the capital.Watch Delhi's reactions

Delhiites will be given lessons in civic sense and etiquettes ahead of the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi next year. The Delhi government is preparing to act on Home Minister P Chidambaram's advice to the citizens in the capital.

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"Delhi has been recognised as a charming city ... of 'tehzeeb' and 'tameez'. It is essential to enrich our composite culture and habits to leave an everlasting impression on the visitors during the Games," Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said while addressing the concluding session of the first Habitat Summit in New Delhi.

The campaign to impart civic sense will be launched in two phases and culminate two months before the start of the Games in October 2010.

Dikshit noted that her government's previous campaigns on public issues, such as those against fire crackers and pollution, have been successful and expressed confidence that the proposed campaign too will bring results.

"We do not react to the pollution of the Yamuna, the dumping of garbage, the scrawling on ancient monuments and the disrespect of women. It is high time to change and think of this city which is very dear to all of us," said Dikshit in a statement.

Earlier this week, Chidambaram had said Delhiites needed to change some bad habits if visitors to the Commonwealth Games next year are to have a good impression about the host city.

"People come to Delhi. This is the capital and we cannot stop people. But if they come to Delhi, they themselves will have to adhere to the behavioural requirement. We must behave as a citizen of a big, good international city," Chidambram had said.