True symbols of a developed nation — silence, civility, & sustainability

Recently, my wife and I visited the United States to attend our daughter’s graduation ceremony. As first-time visitors, we were both thrilled and anxious — excited to witness a proud moment in her life, yet apprehensive about the nineteen-hour journey across multiple time zones.

The first surprise awaited us at Detroit International Airport. Unlike the bustling, security-heavy airports in India, this one appeared calm and orderly. Not a single security officer was visible at the exit or entrance — an unusual sight.

Our drive to Troy, Michigan — about forty minutes from Detroit — was a visual treat. The city seemed to have sprouted from a golf course. Lush carpets of grass, punctuated by gently swaying trees, offered a surreal balm for our travel-worn bodies.

During our month-long stay, we travelled across Michigan, Texas, Pennsylvania, and New York. Two things stood out everywhere: greenery and silence. Dense foliage lined every road, nurtured by organic mulch that enriched the soil and restrained weeds. The abundance of trees ensured a dust-free atmosphere. 

Despite the abundance of churches, temples, and mosques, not once did we hear loudspeakers blaring hymns or sermons. I’m not sure how or when people prayed, but their silent spirituality seemed to manifest in the calm and order enveloping everything around. In this “honk-free” nation, the only sound was that of tyres gliding over asphalt.

One morning, I read a newspaper article about research on quieter tyres designed to further reduce road noise. It made me reflect — while we in India still struggle with air and water pollution, they are advancing towards an almost meditative harmony with nature. Their pursuit of tranquillity isn’t accidental; it’s engineered and embraced.

Equally impressive was the citizens’ adherence to traffic rules. Pedestrians enjoyed absolute respect. Every city featured immaculate sidewalks and dedicated bicycle tracks. The responsibility to ensure pedestrian safety lay entirely with motorists, and it was evident that they stopped not out of fear of punishment but from genuine courtesy. This quiet discipline revealed an underlying truth — freedom and order thrive together.

My time in the United States left me deeply reflective. The country’s strength, I realised, lies not merely in its skyscrapers or scientific advancements, but in its culture of mindfulness — toward people, environment, and sound itself. Their noise-free roads, clean air, and courteous citizens spoke more eloquently about progress than any statistic could. 

As our flight home lifted off, I looked down at the endless stretches of green and thought — true development perhaps begins when silence, civility, and sustainability become a nation’s everyday habits.

 Rajiv Sharma, Amritsar