Let's Be Conscious Consumers

Recently, we had a classroom discussion on “conscious consumers and unethical business practices” in our social studies subject. We were to present our own experience that would reflect the topic. Our social studies teacher first shared his experience to help us articulate our thoughts. What he shared was happening right under the nose of Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City.

Around a month ago, in a school picnic programme for Grade VII students, he took the group on a short hike away from the picnic venue. They chanced upon Jyamire Daha, a lake nestled in the lap of the Chure Hills and in the middle of a community forest. The lake was so serene and large enough to make everyone fancy taking a boat ride, which was available there. 

However, the boat operator– who had no life jackets for passengers – was running the business under the banner of the community forest office, which is ultimately overseen by the Sub-Metropolitan authorities. Our teacher politely but assertively asked for a receipt for the Rs. 2,400 he paid for the boat ride. The operator, clearly miffed by the demand, said no one had ever asked for a receipt before. One could smell a rat when he refused to provide even an improvised receipt written by his hand. Wasn’t it a fitting example of the topic under discussion? 

A conscious consumer, apart from safeguarding their rights, wants to make sure that they don’t harm the natural environment or society.  If everyone is aware of consumer rights and responsibilities, its positive impacts will start to be visible in the society at large. In the example above, the boat operator violated basic safety protocols by not providing life jackets and offered an irresponsible justification to cover up his unethical business practice. He claimed he had life jackets, but they were all in tatters. He had been resorting to lame excuse to dupe the people. Moreover, he was not willing to provide our rightful receipt of the transaction. 

The government has introduced the Consumer Protection Act, 2075. It ensures that consumers are not cheated through any sort of unfair trade practices including quality and quantity issues and misleading information about products and services. Consumer rights encompass key aspects like right to safety, information, choice, being heard, redress, and consumer education.

In conclusion, the implementation of consumer rights benefits not only consumers but also the business entities. It fosters sustainability in our natural environment as well. It lays the foundation for a prosperous society – and planet by extension. I hope that the authorities will come under pressure to act responsibly after going through this write-up.  This aside, I hope it will inspire children like me to “speak up when necessary,” just as our teacher did.

Grade X

Sanskar Pathshala, Dang