As a nation we are clearly at a crossroads on the governance and quality-of-life front because we choose easy options and are quick to apportion blame
Almost everyone and almost all societies have problems. Some have the wisdom to recognise this, understand it and try to cope with it, sensibly. There are others who don't even recognise this, let alone take a holistic view.As a nation we are clearly at a crossroads on the governance and quality-of-life front. However, since time is never frozen, it is important to remember that the notion of being at a crossroad, itself, will pass.
let's look at the facts of the case. There is a fair consensus that the number of employment opportunities have not risen in any significant manner. A minister may have lost his job but that will not provide the solution. The volume of local production has receded, is receding and the decline needs to be arrested. Going to the banks for depositing money at fixed rates for a fixed time is a losing proposition; interest rates have so declined that it is simply not worth the effort. The stock market is not exactly booming. The obvious choice includes mutual funds which are market-driven. The banks are left scampering for provident fund schemes, the likes of Kisan Vikas Patras, Sukanya Samdriddhi Account schemes and Senior Citizen saving schemes. Pollution is on the rise and the unusual step of the Supreme Court to direct a ban on the sale of firecrackers needs no comment. Daily several reminders surface on the mobile asking for linking one's bank accounts, assets portfolio and more with the Aadhaar Card.
There is not one significant businessperson with a visible profile who has even been charged with money-laundering. Of course, several smaller players are on the run. In many cases what could be recovered from them would not even pay for the costs of pursuing them. The pains of demonetisation have had their shadow effect. In certain quarters,currency exchange dealers and reportedly even banks are turning away foreign currency for bonafide exchange by declaring them as 'old'. After one has finished with the banks, one has to run to telecom service providers with the Aadhaar Card, some of which now are being questioned on their provenance and there is pressure to get the card renewed.The air quality in the NCR region did not improve in any significant manner over this Diwali eve. Again, this list can be added to.
If one tries to see the common thread running through all these different endeavours, there are few things in common. The first is oversimplifying the problem. The second is a sheer allergy to seeing the problem in its totality. The third one therefore follows. It is, looking for easy options and simple solutions.
This approach cannot be laid at the doors of a single individual or a single party. As a federal entity, most national parties and many regional parties have a stake in some governance somewhere. The courts and the NGOs are a part of the chain. Verbal dexterity in blaming Prime Minister Modi may generate some likes on social media echo chambers but the solutions require action at many levels. There is the local level, the state level, the regional level and the national level.
Anyone who has anything to do with management would agree thatany confusing problem is confounded by seeing only a part of the picture. The situation deteriorates further when accompanied by loud voices, populist advocacy, incomplete and dramatic solutions.The obvious danger of this approach needs no further elaboration.
If pollution is to be stopped, local governments may well be advised to generate options to gensets, crop burning, rampant illegal construction activities and regulating vehicular emission rather than give the courts a reason to intervene and ban cracker sales. Banning the sale of crackers was a soft option, even though a dramatic one. The results are there for all to see.Similarly, if black money is to be curbed, as it should be, its critical sources must be attacked; electoral reforms, anyoneIJ
The message is simple. As a people, we must muster enough energy and conviction to take the bull but the horns.Else much time and goodwill will be lost by pyrrhic endeavours which may gain headlines but not necessarily make any headway.
(The writer is a well-known management consultant)