Decision making has always remained a function of a select group. It always will. However, the amount of shame i feel when crores of citizens, more or less are in agreement to have scion after scion take over the mantle of democracy, can clearly be attributed as a failure of Indian democracy. This is Fiefdom, not Democracy.
Democratic process and / or putting democracy in practice remains an unfulfilled dream in present day India. Going back in history, as Indians came together to fight for independence, under INC or by the call of Satyagraha or even the Socialist and Extremist version - they were busy putting pressure on the Brits by various means. The sole motive was to gain / win independence. A quasi democratic process had been operational with local representation but in no way had it filtered down. It was a non-inclusive domain of educated elite, erstwhile Raja's etc.
What will we do once we get freedom was never thought, debated, pondered, imagined. The transition from kings and thakurs and small mai-baap role serfs, to East India Company and Brits taking over almost every arm of administration and executive, and uniting us - and then the events leading to freedom was the most damaging thing. In hindsight, we will never know if we had united on our own against the Brits, what would have happened. But thats another topic altogether...
What will we do once we get freedom was never thought, debated, pondered, imagined. The transition from kings and thakurs and small mai-baap role serfs, to East India Company and Brits taking over almost every arm of administration and executive, and uniting us - and then the events leading to freedom was the most damaging thing. In hindsight, we will never know if we had united on our own against the Brits, what would have happened. But thats another topic altogether...
What the system before-angrez and after-angrez hasn't done for us, is "change the approach to life". The dependency and looking up, instead of stepping up and taking responsibility, shows in almost every aspect of our lives. Look around you - there always is only a small group of people making decisions. The cabinet decides whats best; the planning commission chooses the way ahead; the board of directors makes business decisions; the patriarch decides how his family should lead their lives. So on and so forth.
The tragedy is, we need constant role modelling and someone to tell us what to do and what is best for us.
When i started writing this blog, i was hoping to do some reflection on crown prince Rahul, but as the events unfold, i am thinking more and more abt lakhs of people who were swayed by the Team Anna anti-corruption movement.
The tragedy is, we need constant role modelling and someone to tell us what to do and what is best for us.
When i started writing this blog, i was hoping to do some reflection on crown prince Rahul, but as the events unfold, i am thinking more and more abt lakhs of people who were swayed by the Team Anna anti-corruption movement.
Is it to be blamed to the rote factor in education system that discourages creative n liberal thinking? Perhaps. Does it make us risk averse? Yes! What about staying away from politics and policy making? Who made it a family business? Why did we allow it? Were politicians always untrustworthy or was there a different breed who actually had a vision? Did someone make a condescending decision that "local self government" will never work?
Are we good enough just for executing? Look at the IT sector. Hardly any research happens in India. We send so many workers to middle east - they are mostly manual labour. The number of patents filed in India is nowhere close to countries of similar size and education levels. How many technical graduates, MBAs and such set up businesses and create employment? Look at your own batch and you will get a fair estimate.
Maybe the time has come for the fiefdom to "let go". The 0.5% folks who run the show, can continue to make decisions that affect the top. The elite who have been guiding us, can continue to guide. Let democracy function, in its true chaotic form. Yes, there will be some anarchy for some time. Let people make decisions. With authority, give people autonomy and accountability. When people make mistakes, they learn. Maybe the general intelligence of the average Indian is low, but the survival instinct is strong, the desire to change lives is peaking. When more and more people get educated, employed, and have spending power, they want to fly. With restrictions that growth will not happen. When the forces of change clash with the power centre, one of them will have to give way.
Imagine a pyramid who has a very broad base and tapers with even 60 degrees till the middle. And then, suddenly, its a narrow column thats just putting pressure on one point. That point is the middle class. Second generation educated kids, who are patriotic, who dutifully pay taxes, who give to charity, who have dreams of making a difference.
Will the fiefdom relent? 2012 will tell.
Are we good enough just for executing? Look at the IT sector. Hardly any research happens in India. We send so many workers to middle east - they are mostly manual labour. The number of patents filed in India is nowhere close to countries of similar size and education levels. How many technical graduates, MBAs and such set up businesses and create employment? Look at your own batch and you will get a fair estimate.
Maybe the time has come for the fiefdom to "let go". The 0.5% folks who run the show, can continue to make decisions that affect the top. The elite who have been guiding us, can continue to guide. Let democracy function, in its true chaotic form. Yes, there will be some anarchy for some time. Let people make decisions. With authority, give people autonomy and accountability. When people make mistakes, they learn. Maybe the general intelligence of the average Indian is low, but the survival instinct is strong, the desire to change lives is peaking. When more and more people get educated, employed, and have spending power, they want to fly. With restrictions that growth will not happen. When the forces of change clash with the power centre, one of them will have to give way.
Imagine a pyramid who has a very broad base and tapers with even 60 degrees till the middle. And then, suddenly, its a narrow column thats just putting pressure on one point. That point is the middle class. Second generation educated kids, who are patriotic, who dutifully pay taxes, who give to charity, who have dreams of making a difference.
Will the fiefdom relent? 2012 will tell.
