BEFORE
Anyone who has been watching/reading the news the past few weeks would have gathered the essence of year 2010 for India- Scams. Every news hour invariably has at least three fourths of its telecast dedicated to the number of scams which have been unearthed this year. Rather than analyzing already dissected data on what this means for various political parties, this article intends to delve into a broader and deeper question instead.
Every democracy goes through phases. In India, for example - the phase of debating on the basic foundations on which our country was built in 1947, the phase of the demand for the freedom of the press during the emergency in the 1970s, the often quoted phase of liberalization in 1991 etc. are some of the prominent incidents which altered the course of the country’s social and economic structure. It is this evolution of democracy that is the underlying basis of development. The results of each of these phases have such profound impact on our lives even today. So, the broader question to think about is whether this chapter of scams is just a political hungama that is to fade away with an election? Or does it mark another phase in the history of Indian democracy, the outcome of which will cause changes that affect generations going forward?
Majority of Indians today have lost faith. Faith in the political parties/bureaucracy (2G scam, the Adarsh Housing Society scam), the corporate sector (corruption statistics, land acquisition), the media ( the Radia Tapes), the regulatory agencies ( the independence of the CBI, the integrity of the CVC) and judiciary ( the uncle judge syndrome at the Allahabad high court). The common man does not need the media to know the extent of corruption in our society today. The common man's life involves enough instances that make him more than aware of its prevalence. But this can neither sustain the belief system of basic right and wrong on which our country was born, nor the fabulous Indian growth story that we talk about everyday. There has to be a point where the county will have to take a step forward. What could this step be?
One may believe that this year’s incidents would result in the political parties having no option but to ensure structural changes regarding tackling corruption as the only possible propaganda to contest for governance. This would mean that these scams could result in effective independent investigation agencies and controls, a structural change essential for our country’s continued prosperity. One may believe this would result in a media which not only treads carefully interacting with persons of influence, but also does not shy away from being critical of the objectivity of its own peers. This would mean a renewed belief in the fourth estate, a belief that could make the media a champion of public opinion rather that a medium for political campaign. One may believe that this year would result in a reformed and strengthened judicial system, a catalyst to transparency in the society. One may even believe that this will result in a system that allows a common man to view business as a result of entrepreneurship, hard work and unique ideas rather than the clout, influence and corrupt practices. Time only will tell the role of this year in shaping out democracy's growth.
It is often said that the common mans thoughts can change the nation. It is something which is not really believed to be true in our country, given the diversity in religion, economic well being and opinion. But today, there is a resounding unity in the common mans thoughts. It no longer revolves around the growth of the Indian economy, and neither does it revolve around religion and the freedom of expression. The common man of India today desires fairness, accountability and systems to support the same.
India needs to respond to that desire of the common man. Can it?
Anyone who has been watching/reading the news the past few weeks would have gathered the essence of year 2010 for India- Scams. Every news hour invariably has at least three fourths of its telecast dedicated to the number of scams which have been unearthed this year. Rather than analyzing already dissected data on what this means for various political parties, this article intends to delve into a broader and deeper question instead.
Every democracy goes through phases. In India, for example - the phase of debating on the basic foundations on which our country was built in 1947, the phase of the demand for the freedom of the press during the emergency in the 1970s, the often quoted phase of liberalization in 1991 etc. are some of the prominent incidents which altered the course of the country’s social and economic structure. It is this evolution of democracy that is the underlying basis of development. The results of each of these phases have such profound impact on our lives even today. So, the broader question to think about is whether this chapter of scams is just a political hungama that is to fade away with an election? Or does it mark another phase in the history of Indian democracy, the outcome of which will cause changes that affect generations going forward?
Majority of Indians today have lost faith. Faith in the political parties/bureaucracy (2G scam, the Adarsh Housing Society scam), the corporate sector (corruption statistics, land acquisition), the media ( the Radia Tapes), the regulatory agencies ( the independence of the CBI, the integrity of the CVC) and judiciary ( the uncle judge syndrome at the Allahabad high court). The common man does not need the media to know the extent of corruption in our society today. The common man's life involves enough instances that make him more than aware of its prevalence. But this can neither sustain the belief system of basic right and wrong on which our country was born, nor the fabulous Indian growth story that we talk about everyday. There has to be a point where the county will have to take a step forward. What could this step be?
One may believe that this year’s incidents would result in the political parties having no option but to ensure structural changes regarding tackling corruption as the only possible propaganda to contest for governance. This would mean that these scams could result in effective independent investigation agencies and controls, a structural change essential for our country’s continued prosperity. One may believe this would result in a media which not only treads carefully interacting with persons of influence, but also does not shy away from being critical of the objectivity of its own peers. This would mean a renewed belief in the fourth estate, a belief that could make the media a champion of public opinion rather that a medium for political campaign. One may believe that this year would result in a reformed and strengthened judicial system, a catalyst to transparency in the society. One may even believe that this will result in a system that allows a common man to view business as a result of entrepreneurship, hard work and unique ideas rather than the clout, influence and corrupt practices. Time only will tell the role of this year in shaping out democracy's growth.
It is often said that the common mans thoughts can change the nation. It is something which is not really believed to be true in our country, given the diversity in religion, economic well being and opinion. But today, there is a resounding unity in the common mans thoughts. It no longer revolves around the growth of the Indian economy, and neither does it revolve around religion and the freedom of expression. The common man of India today desires fairness, accountability and systems to support the same.
India needs to respond to that desire of the common man. Can it?
AFTER # 1
AFTER # 2
Indian Express
Dated Dec 30th, 2010
Dated Dec 30th, 2010
AFTER # 2
Posts
3 comments:
I don't think I need to tell you what a well-written, articulate post that was. And just to reiterate your own thoughts I'd like to say that the letter to editor has, well, been "edited" to point that it retains the essence but loses the aim and impact.
I hope this phase is rather the one which will create an impact in Indian history and not just be a pre-election phenomenon. As you realize the common man's eyes, ears and voice-the media has lost it's objective and become so profit driven that the damage done is nation-wide or beyond. India truly needs security and justice like you say but in the yearn for the same will the common man not fade in oblivion? Or take it's unavailability again as something that needs to be adjusted with?
Definitely, provided there is an across the board internalization of the idea of fairness and accountability, as you say. And I mean the society as a whole, up and down, left and right. Provided the common man does not remain a silent witness to all the action, good or bad, as Laxman used to portray in his popular cartoons. There has been no point in India's recent past that has been so conducive for the so-called common man to get himself (or for that matter herself) out and into the game of progress. But with that opportunity a great responsibility is thrust upon him. When a common man comes out of the languishing countryside and makes it into the political elite, does he work towards making the system more equitable for everyone; or does he go about exploiting it for his own benefit. When a common man makes it to the top of business world, does he create opportunities for others; or does he fall prey to corporate greed and resort to unfair practices and thwart competition. When a common man breaks out of the shackles of illiteracy and makes it big in the world of journalism, does he remain loyal to the objective pursuit of truth or does he fall victim to the zealous pursuit of ratings. Even if he circumvented ethics on his way up, does he own up to it and make it right going forward or does he continue to succumb to false ways and pass the same to his kith and kin. Its a choice; how we collectively act on it will determine the next transformational phase or lack of it. So I will put the question in a slightly different way; though its in the same spirit as yours. Can the common man respond to the desire of India? Can the unity in common man’s thoughts as you poignantly point out turn into unity in action? Though we may be dejected into saying ’NO’ going by recent events, let’s envision otherwise. Wherever we are; social, generational, financial, or geography wise; we can strive in our own ways, within our circle of influence; so that from the mass of common men, will rise men who are uncommon in their zest for fairness and accountability. And pretty soon such men will not be uncommon any more; it will pervade the entire society and result in the structural changes and reform you have wished for.
Am sure that with a younger generation like you, India will respond! Wishing you all the best mone, keep blogging!
- a common (wo)man :)
Ain't I glad that I discovered u thru FB! Hope u know who I am!
Post a Comment