As I read the media coverage of the poor quality and unsanitary infrastructure being built for the Common Wealth Games in India a sense of indignity prompts me to write this article.
I was in Beijing during the 2008 Beijing Olympics and got the opportunity to experience and witness the Chinese efficiency in infrastructure building. Chinese sports administration dazzled the global audience with perfect synchronicity with which they staged the Inaugural ceremony and managed the entire event. China’s impressive performance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics was not limited to building the infrastructure alone. It won 51 Gold medals, 21 silver medals and 28 bronze medals, coming second only to the United States which won, 36 gold medals, 38 sliver medals and 36 bronze medals.
It would be natural to compare the Chinese experience of managing the 2008 Olympics with the organization of the Common Wealth Games in Delhi and lament over global exposure to the corruption and ineptitude of the Organizing Committee in Delhi.
However, instead of comparing Chinese sports administration with Indian, it would be worth while getting to the roots of the problem. The key issue is to understand why such a failure of system occurred. The root cause of the systems failure is in our collective failure in building our national character. William Wells Brown, a prominent 19th century abolitionist lecturer, novelist, playwright, and historian once said ‘“We, as individuals, are fast losing our reputation for honest dealing. Our nation is losing its character. The loss of a firm national character, or the degradation of a nation's honor, is the inevitable prelude to her destruction.” This quote could very well apply to today’s India.
Is India’s National character declining, and if so what can be done to salvage it? Taking a historical perspective on evolution of modern Indian mind I would like to make the following observations.
Mahatma Gandhi recognized the need for helping people build greater resilience and appreciation for social, psychological, cultural and religious diversity of India. He recognized that mere political freedom from British rule would not set India on a path to progress. By introducing concepts such as “Harijan”, “Satyagraha” and by starting his day with a chant of “Ishwar All Tero Nam, Sab ko Sanmati De Bhagawan”, Gandhi brought focus on building national character. His appeal to the Congress leaders to give Mohammad Ali Jinnah a chance to become undivided India’s first Prime minister was also his way of pushing the boundaries of our religious sensitivities. Gandhi suggested dissolution of the Congress Party and regrouping of political parties based on their distinct ideologies and visions for the development of modern India. He was suggesting a fresh foundation for political evolution of India where political parties would compete on the basis of ideas and ideologies. He anticipated that by cashing on Congress Party’s participation in the freedom struggle to secure votes, it will face the prospect of turning into an opportunistic, monopolistic and corrupt organization. Disregarding Gandhi’s advice to dissolve the Congress Party meant just replacing the British monarchy with a dynasty under the guise of Indian National Congress. The culture of subservience to the empire, which was perpetuated through centuries of foreign rule, continued in free India. Congress Party’s long rule established a class of power elite who got used to treating public resources as their personal assets. Over time, even other parties that briefly replaced the Congress party, in States or at the national level, got caught up in cornering the perks of power rather than in putting their ideas and ideologies to work.
In mid-eighties, India embraced “Globalization” and “Liberalization” of the economy as a new path to progress. A key change that has taken place in the mind-set of average middle class Indians alongside the opening of Indian economy is an uninhibited pursuit of money. With crowding of the marketplace with high-end international brands and latest consumer products, conspicuous consumption has become an integral part of urban and semi-urban lifestyle in India. Even the middle class and rich in rural areas have increased their consumption and public display of branded consumer products. In the post-independence days “Simplicity” commanded the respect of the community. Today “conspicuous display of branded goods” has become a means of commanding public awe. A part of India has embraced the capitalist dream. Indian youth is eager to live life comparable to their counterparts in developed world and are proud to flaunt their possessions in public. India has replaced Gandhi with a new role model, Gordon Geko.
Gordon Geko, the main character in the 1987 Hollywood film, Wall Street, played by Michael Douglas gave a speech to the shareholders of Teldar Paper, a company he was taking over,
“The point is ladies and gentlemen that greed, for lack of a better word, is good. Greed is right. Greed works. Greed clarifies, cuts through and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit. Greed, in all of it’s forms - greed for life, for money, knowledge - has marked the upward surge of mankind and greed - you mark my words - will not only save Teldar Paper but that other malfunctioning corporation called the USA. Thank you.”
Twenty-three years after the character of Gorden Geko was revealed on the movie screen, the United States is faced with the reset of capitalism. While American economists search for a sustainable model, Indian consumers have borrowed Gorden Geko as their role model. It is this new mindset that is at the root of the failure of the system in New Delhi, on the eve of the Common Wealth Games. Gorden Geko seems to have infiltrated the Indian system.
Abraham Lincoln once said, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power”. From the village Panchayat to the Indian Parliament, we meet Gorden Gekos at every step. Turning power into an opportunity to accumulate personal assets has become an accepted norm in the society. Public servants, especially those who are given the responsibility to help people, use that power to hold people in need to ransom. The most recent example of the audacity of greed is my personal struggle to secure a probate for my father, Prof. Madhu Dandavate’s will from the testamentary department of Mumbai High Court. The court officials delayed the probate for the past five years because I refused to pay a bribe. The officials are very well aware of the fact that they are seeking a cut from the meager savings of a person who is known throughout the country for impeccable integrity in public life. Yet they expect a bribe because the system is not capable of deterring, stopping or punishing their corrupt acts being conducted blatantly within the premises of Mumbai High Court. In the meanwhile, over the years, my lawyer has sent me several hints to be practical and even refused to take my calls sometimes- with the hope that eventually I will fall in line- meaning I will embrace the new mindset of emergent India.
While I refuse to pay a bribe to the officials of Mumbai high court, India continues to pursue happiness in the Geko mould. Those of us who feel embarrassed by the fiasco of Common Wealth Games must first ask ourselves, if we are willing to stand up to the power hungry and corrupt public officials we meet every step of the way. If we play our part in building a national character, punish those elected representatives who are involved in corrupt or criminal activities, instead of becoming a part of the system, we will eventually build India of our dreams that we can be proud of. My father once said to me, “You have legitimate claim only over the money that is a product of your intellectual or physical labor.” By following his advice I have been able to provide reasonable comforts to my family. Many developed nations have proved that pursuing one’s dreams with integrity can still bring people quality life. The failure of system in planning for the Commonwealth games is indicative of a crisis of character India faces today.
http://theradicalhumanist.com/index.php?option=com_radical&controller=article&cid=253&Itemid=56
No comments:
Post a Comment