Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) also recently inaugurated a communication and skills training programme for its drivers and conductors.

Nearly 1,500 drivers and conductors were selected for the 40-day-long first phase of communication and skills training programme.

While some residents welcomed the home minister's advise, others said the government was slow 'as always' in realising the basic issues.

'The decision to organise Commonwealth Games was taken years ago. But, the government has realised it only now that people need a crash course in behaviour,' wondered 27-year-old marketing executive Anshul Sharma.

'Not just Delhi, but the whole country needs a crash course in basic manners and politeness. And the change should start from the government officers and politicians. To talk of changing the behaviour ahead of the Commonwealth Games sounds ridiculous,' said Chavi Aggarwal, a BPO employee.

Mudit Mittal, 25, supported Chidambaram's suggestion wholeheartedly.

'I completely agree with our home minister's views. People in Delhi lose their temper at the drop of hat, which results in fights and sometimes casualty. Not just games, authorities should focus on such programmes beyond that. Also why only Delhi, it should be for the complete country,' said Mittal.

A young public relations professional, Jayanti Narang said: 'With the current state of affairs, the perennial traffic chaos and the way people behave are awful. I hope that taking the Commonwealth Games as an excuse, a change is brought about in the national capital. We shouldn't do this for the visitors during the Games, we should do it for ourselves.'