“Please show some RESPECT : Thoda karo Samman”
Future
Historians writing about the present times would be startled by the level of cynicism
that pervades the entire social canvas of the Nation today. This cynicism, the
most infectious social disease known to man, often takes the shape and form of
“bashing” and lampooning everyone and everything: politicians, bureaucracy, the
judiciary, leftists.... the list is
endless. Everyone is finding fault with everyone else.
A
recent crusader may have lent respect and credibility to “bashing” and made it
fashionable, but is the media, particularly the electronic media which has
lapped it up and taken “bashing” to new and ridiculous heights.
While
I leave it to other victims to defend themselves, I would confine myself to the
bashing of the bureaucracy .
At
the outset I would like to make a few things clear:
- This is not an attempt at overlooking or ignoring infirmities and inefficiencies in the system,the most common alibi for bureaucracy bashing.
- This is also not an attempt at condoning or approving all that is wrong with our system and its faces
- This is also not an attempt at defending or excusing delinquent elements: members have brought disrepute to the system
Instead, this is an attempt at a
dispassionate and objective analysis of the causes consequences of this bashing.
What is it that the bashers find so objectionable in the
bureaucracy?
First and foremost, the corruption and
inefficiencies: Please for God’s sake hang the culprits. No one has any issue with
that. We are lucky to have a robust judicial system which can take care of the worst offenders. We also have by
and large efficient investigative and enforcement agencies. Put them to use.
But for the sake of a few do not discredit or lampoon the entire system and its
functionaries.
Next
comes the “laal-neeli batti culture” which is nothing but an euphemism for
glamour,perks, prestige, privileges and power
that go with bureaucracy. The most vocal and passionate
basher was none other than a recent entrant into politics, till he himself succumbed. Here I have two points to
make: One, that with all these trappings also goes
immense responsibility to administer and deliver. Who has’nt seen us weather
storms and floods, natural disasters, riots and public disorder,
provide relief and succour to millions
of victims of drought, floods and other such calamities. You can always see us lead from the front. Many observers and thinkers
have gone so far as to credit the
bureaucracy with keeping the country together in one piece.
Two, it is in fact these privileges glamour that attract
the best talent in the country to these professions. It is without allure that around one
crore young Indians
take the civil services examination every year all over the country !.
I am also reminded of the recent
attempts of the officer-starved Armed Forces to lure talented youngsters by selling them
“glamour” and a “classy life style”.
You have to see their ads on
TV to understand what I mean.
I may also add a Third point.
The much derided bureaucrats after all come through one of the most
rigourous system of selection. Although no system can be 100 per cent fool
proof, it is generally acknowledged that by and large the best people make it.
Once selected, they go through an extensive and well thought out system of
sensitisation and training, to equip them with skills and tools to administer
and deliver, and fulfil the aspirations of the Nation. Many such selectees have
and continue to render yeoman service to the nation and society, something the bashers
chose to ignore and overlook. There is
another crucial fact which these bashers
miss, and that is the historical
context. During the Raj, when the bureaucracy was established, albeit for a
very different purpose, the bureaucrats were largely British and the subjects
were Indians. But in the present times, things have dramatically changed. Not
only have the British bureaucrats been replaced by Indians but their very raison
d'être has undergone a sea change: from ruling to service. the Indian subjects are now free
citizens, zealously protected by the constitution.
I
now come to my next point. Who are these bashers and why do they love to bash
our bureaucracy.
Well,
the most visible and vocal are the sundry TV anchors and so called journalists,
with access to 148 million households! Not to be left behind the new breed of
Radio Jockeys, who swarm the FM world, too have jumped onto the bandwagon. And
mind you, these Radio Jockeys too have access to countless citizens of towns
and cities. Barely out of their teens, with little or no
erudition or experience, these anchors and RJs, as they prefer to be addressed,
have taken upon themselves the onerous task of opinionating and passing judgement
on everything under the sun. How could the bureaucracts be spared or left
behind. In fact they have a special fascination for them, lampooning them at
every hint of an opportunity. Let no one
be surprised to know that most of these bureaucracy bashers would have themselves
tried in the past, albeit unsuccessfully, to become bureaucracts! (many may
still be at it!). I am reminded of Aesop’s Fox and the sour grapes. Envy gives
way to malice.
And
finally, what are the consequences of this bureaucracy bashing?
One, this untiring hammering of the bureaucracy, has given
fuel to all round cynicism. one
of the most vital, coveted, and sacrosanct institution gets badgered day in and
day out, it is bound to lead to breed
cynicism and pessimism, two things all aspiring nations can well do without.
With an access into, at last count, 148 million households just imagine the enormity
of the influence these people carry. This bashing has actually lowered the
morale of those at the helm of crucial affairs, demoralising and demotivating them,
undermining efficiencies
and performance.
Two, since the entire apparatus of the State is manned and run
by the bureaucracy, deriding and belittling it tends to undermine the authority
of the State, something that could bring cheer only to Anarchists and Enemies
alike. Constantly finding fault, ignoring or overlooking the vast majority of
performers who are rendering service to the Nation, is a particularly unhealthy
way of looking at things.
Three, who are the beneficiaries of this media bashing? The Media itself! (who has not heard of TRP wars and paid news) who sets to gain by
sensationalising and focussing on the black sheep and the dark recesses of the
system. Nations are built on hope: on self belief and confidence in the present
and optimism for the future. With their reach and the influence they carry, just imagine the
role these ladies and gentlemen in front of the cameras and studio microphones,
can play in Nation building. On the
other hand, If they continue to deride and belittle all our institutions which
have by and large stood the test of time, we would not need enemies!
In
conclusion, this phenomenon of all round, unrelenting bashing the bureaucracy
is like throwing the baby with bath water.
