शिष्टाचार

In 1941, during the Individual Satyagraha movement, Shri Charan Singh was imprisoned in Bareilly Central Jail. There, he had ample free time. Sitting with his friends under a tree in the jail, they reviewed the previously collected rules and compiled them into a book. Due to the busyness of public life, the manuscript remained untouched for several years. The renowned writer Shri Bhagwati Charan Verma saw and appreciated this manuscript, and upon his advice, it was first published in January 1954 under the title "Shishtachar" (Etiquette). On September 4, 1953, the then Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Govind Ballabh Pant, wrote in the foreword:

“There is a close relationship between ethics and etiquette. Ethics are the capital of courtesy. Without ethics, human life is baseless, and without etiquette, even an ethical person is deprived of the sweetness of life. In our country, there has always been a glimpse of love and goodwill in mutual behaviour. Taking care of others' feelings and avoiding saying things that might hurt them has always been a prevalent rule in our society.

Truth is considered the best foundation of ethics. It is not considered appropriate to express the truth in unpleasant words. Due to the subjugation of recent times, some corruption has crept into all aspects of our lives, casting a shadow over our etiquette. Otherwise, all communities and classes in our country have always practised beautiful manners and decorum. Whatever lapse in our dignity occurred during the foreign rule, we must now correct it so that our social life becomes completely refined and sweet. The utility of etiquette for the happiness and peace of life is no less than that of ethics. Through etiquette and discipline, individual and social life can become healthy and beautiful. With this thought in mind, my colleague Singh has endeavoured to write this book. I hope it will benefit our society and particularly the youth.”