Tragedy of Commons Or Tragedy of Ignorance?

   Today I saw the special episode of one really nice reality series on Sony title 'Crime Patrol'. I like this series because it's based on real incidents and how they gets solved and mainly because it always ends with a message about what could have been done to avoid it.
   This special episode was based on the March 2011 Nagpur Murder case. I wont discuss the whole episode, I leave it for those interested to find on own; but one thing that started my think-tank was - What makes one to be just the mere spectators when they witness a crime happening? Is it because of fear, or awe, or uncertainty, or hesitation or just apathy.
   I saw a documentary once, criticizing New Yorkers for having such a busy life that makes them little concerned about anything happening around them that has no direct and obvious impact on them. In one incident, a woman was robbed and killed by stabbing in a parking lot. Later it was reported that several local resident admitted to have witnessed the crime, but didn't bothered to inform the cops or even help the lady; thinking that someone else might have already done whats needed. This is clear case of apathy, and perfect example of "Tragedy of Commons", an unfortunate case when no one takes any action in belief that others might have already done whats needed.
   But we cannot compare New York case with the case in Nagpur. A girl was stabbed 17 times, right in the daylight around 10 AM, in the main market with tons of crowd around. The killers stopped and washed their hands and threatened people around that they too would be murdered if they reported anything about them. When cops came, no one was ready to identify the killers, claiming that they have not seen them clearly. Interestingly and I feel real embarrassed to tell, no one around the gathered crowd was even ready to help the girl who was still breathing and was asking for help.

   Minutes later a passer-by saw the crowd, and saw the girl stabbed in back lying on the road and realized she needs to be taken to hospital immediately. The girl could not be saved, because even in the hospital, the doctors were not immediately available; and once they came, with all the needed legal formalities after which doctors are supposed to start operating, that all was way too late.
   Its easy to be a part of blame-game. In one sense, I am too not just reporting this incident and my thoughts; I also seems and feel like playing the same blame-game. And same was done after this incident. Students and people came on the streets to demonstrate against the day-light murder, girls and students protection and inability of police. 

   I don't think its just for Nagpur, it could be in our own neighbours, could be with our own loved ones. Whatever be the reason that Nagpur crowd acted like this; one thing that I believe caused such an apathy - we don't take even the simple everyday opportunity to help someone around.
   I don't know what else to be concluded with this incident, I end with these quotes -
"Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself." by Tolstoy,
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." by Winston Churchill
"He has the right to criticize who has the heart to help." by Abraham Lincoln
   I decide, though I will not go out looking to find someone to help; but to keep my eyes and ears open, to find every and any opportunity on my way to help someone in need. And to keep the record I will update them here, whenever I get any such an opportunity.
   The purpose of 'Crime Patrol' series is to spread the awareness, I hope my this little article also helps the cause.