Hand-outs shouldn’t be taken for granted

The ignorant mind, with its infinite afflictions, passions and evils, is rooted in the three poisons: greed, anger and delusion. Bodhidharma

There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed. Mahatma Gandhi Two Indian greats, who walked this world 14 centuries apart, were apt in their summary of human nature of greed and avarice. For some, it is acquiring wealth in different forms; others seek pleasure in enjoying hand-out privileges that their positions command.
There are two classes in the country to which expecting almost everything as complimentary comes naturally. Yes, they are politicians and bureaucrats.
The former consider invitations and complimentary passes as their right for being the representatives of the people, while the latter seek it for being the indispensible cogs that ensure efficient governance.
Both are under the grip of a post-colonial hangover, high on the nostalgia of the days when the ruling class enjoyed unfettered power, privileges and concessions for “bearing the burden of governing and civilising the ignorant masses”.
We are 12 years into a new century, yet little has changed in the way politicians and babus think. Latterly, a national daily reported that the Karnataka State Cricket Association has been forced to outsource to private contractors the task of clearing about 18 tonnes of garbage from the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
The BBMP, controlled by Bangalore corporators, that cleaned the stadium after matches till recently, has refused to continue their services. Why? Because the corporators we­r­e denied ‘complimentary’ VIP passes for the IPL matches held in the city.
Also, officials have suddenly woken up to the Karnataka State Cricket Association’s long-pending tax dues to the tune of Rs6.5 crore. One cannot deny that the timing was excellent, or that it’s “sheer coincidence”.
The corporators and babus deny that notifying the cricket body about the dues was done in retribution for refusing them passes. They claim that it’s all part of their smart plan of shaming the association into coughing up taxes, as it would not risk sullying its name during the IPL, for deals worth crores would be at stake.
Both parties may have several excuses. However, a bigger question emerges: Why present such freebies and privileges to politicians and bureaucrats?
Government officials are paid for their service to the nation and its people. It is an open secret that apart from their salaries and perks, these mandarins amass wealth via bribes and other underhand ways. Yet they want more.
There have been numerous instances where aircraft and trains were delayed to ensure boarding of politicians who turned up late. Recently a Union minister courted controversy when records revealed that an aircraft of the national carrier was diverted to fly a group of his relatives.
Only a few may not have had to suffer for the reservations and concessions made for VIPs, especially at places of worship. The sight of a cop not paying for the food or tea he helps himself to at an eatery is far too familiar.
It’s high time something’s done. The privileged ones may protest that they are entitled to such special treatment, for they bear the burden of leading and serving the nation.
Well, no one asked these folks to lead and serve us. And if they cannot do without it, they may sit at home. (This article was published as the editorial column in Postnoon on April 11, 2012)

Sankranti T-party may sink students’ future

Barely has the State found its feet after the innumerable miseries of the 45-day Sakala Janula Samme and Telangana Rashtra Samiti supremo KCR has dropped his Sankranthi shocker — another wave of separate-statehood agitations.
Other than the industries, which suffered a whopping Rs32,000-crore loss and a massive migration of investments to states considered more ‘stable’, it is the education sector, which bore the brunt. Schools, colleges and universities lost precious working days, putting enormous pressure on parents and students alike.
Since the conclusion of the Samme, the educational institutions have been working extra hours, cutting short holidays or skipping them altogether to finish lessons. Such a massive interruption has had a serious impact on the psyche of students, not to mention the tremendous pressure brought about by the massive workload and in­adequate rest. The length of the agitation also forced parents to hire private tutors or arrange for tuitions, causing a further strain on family budgets.
Also thrown haywire, were plans of students preparing for entrances to higher education institutions elsewhere in India and abroad. About 10,000 foreign students in different colleges and universities were also at their wits’ end as the visas are issued for limited period and getting them renewed involves a lot of paperwork and expenses.
Life for the public was made difficult by closed government offices, lack of public transport and the massive power cuts forced by employees of Singareni Collieries joining the strike. Everything has a tipping point; the same applies to the agitation for separate statehood. With the Centre in no mood to concede to their demands, the public opinion, fuelled by the denial of services, turned against KCR and Co, the T-protagonists had no other go but accept the first face-saving truce.
But what happened to the students of Osmania University, the heart of the agitation? Nothing! OU students came out with flying colours in their exams and the cream of the lot was lapped up by major companies in campus placement drives.
So what happened to the students who were forcibly made to ride the separate-statehood bandwagon? They are struggling and toiling to ensure they don’t miss the bus when their contemporaries across the country are inching closer to the limited pie, without any hassles.
Even the latest round of agitation has been planned by the TRS bosses keeping the convenience of their foot soldiers in mind. The OU students will participate only 10 days after the stir begins as they have exams during those days. Now what makes the pink squad assume that the lives and priorities of the rest are not as important?
The last round of agitation was nothing but prolonged nuisance, misery, destruction of property, monetary losses and missed opportunities. A repeat of the nightmarish ordeal definitely looks scary.
If KCR and his T-brigade are confident about the public support they claim to have, they should have the guts to make participation in the Telangana agitation voluntary. Let the people decide if they are desperate enough for a separate state that they will drop all work and join their visionary leader and his cronies in realising the land of milk and honey that will cure all ills that have been ailing the region.
With the dismal performance of states for­m­ed on similar lines at ensuring jobs, development and justice to their regions in mind, the people will show the T-men where they stand.