Cronyism or nepotism are words which hardly cross my mind and no wonder
I’m a stuck here. But better off without favours. Those who indulge in these
acts wield an air of authority along with weapons that range from a kitchen
knife to flesh…. I mean human flesh. The arms used are many but users are
stealthy, skip normal work-schedules, travel at the drop of a hat, indulge in
petty thefts, hang around anywhere, adopt part-time professions like errand
boys, chauffeurs, bar tenders, bar dancers etc.
Now do not look exasperated… but they do get high-handed when on the
job. Business runs on these lines/modes so that the venturer (victim) does not
get trapped, then begins the vicious circle. Generally they act on word-of–mouth.
They hop, trudge, somersault or fly depending on the urgency. The moment they
track the victim they are vile, indulgent, offer promissory notes that are
vital to the giver and taker.
Have you seen a budding ‘crime’ operator skilfully getting his job
done? He possesses a half-torn currency
note , leaves on an adventurous journey to get his accomplice who will also
possess the other half of the note. Well,
the job is done and eventually follows a string of events but somewhere an
innocent victim is hooked.
In common parlance it is called ‘underhand’ dealing, under-the-table
deal, under-cut deal and so on. We stressed the word ‘under’ which conveniently became ‘Andhar ki baat’.
The crux being, when a few persons want benefits within their orbit, they
disburse the operation not knowing where it will begin and end. The deals get
orbit-worthy. The tools adopted vary from written notes to typed letters or
emails or phone calls etc; by the
way…..phones have moved on to smart phones or ultra smart phones, all are allies.
The quota compulsion
The head of this orbit-worthy operation limits himself to one group and thereby tries to decimate a
rival group, so such deals are mandatory. To speak of it in a larger context we
have Panchayats (village heads & gang) or ‘Biradri’( blood brother gangs )
and not to forget ‘patent- mannerisms’ based
on caste, creed or region which helps in segregating groups. Sometimes some groups are segregated on being
economically backward due to lack of opportunities that befall them, thus they
are hardly noticed in the tribe of humans (which is rare these days), so this
gives rise to the ‘quota’ awareness which is recognised as a statute for the
government to notice them and give them a rightful place in society. A rightful sin helps to standout and claim
status.
So man has accomplished a lot through marginalism in our country and
will be successful to gain a few groups to distinguish himself as a separate
specimen depending on his profession. He is spread out on this part of the
earth from a land-tiller to a warrior to a ruler/politician, common man, etc. A scholar
illumines in his field (arena) selecting subjects from finance to astrology to
astronomy to poultry farming to brewery business (brewing ’decadent’ matter )
also called family business or better still by
becoming a scholarly hermit/preacher who cannot be defied or defined.
Yes, we need all of them, you know we must differentiate ourselves from cattle.
We have diversified so much that when asked to discern any group, wisely,
which we are so poor at, we are prone to bite our tongues. Then comes the snag,
we are incompetent in selecting a leader (we need one). Have we a choice? Electorate - imposing a
cattle driven mentality to choose a leader. No I do not recommend any leader or
coach. So much so, today we are divided into two distinct groups - the secular
and the non-secular, that includes the God-fearing ones (only non-secular Hindus). The
other minor and fairly large groups are secular but watch with jaundiced eyes especially if told to prefer
saffron.
The ‘K’ episode
Firstly why did this ‘K’ factor emerge ? That too on the political
scene? Are we running short of leaders or good leaders? This is just trouble
brewing for the ruling party. A teaser? A warning? A deliberate move to help
the present government tread on the path of the previous government and who is
also dragged to the slaughter house ? The recent controversy of a student
leader who shot to fame as he perceived social problems from a different
angle and felt the present government to
be autocratic. His views courted a small percentage of supporters. A heavy hand
rained on the group that dispersed like dust. The stage was set at a globally
recognised University, the JNU. A lesson
on students becoming philosophers. Aren’t they growing a bit faster than their
age? Did we all not know that Bihar has been the poorest state and will remain
so? Enough fodder to help politicians
play the caste card via an impoverished population.
The people of Bihar must wake up, get distinguished and not play pawn
to politicians. Stop migrating, create and manage wealth within the state with
head held high and draw wealth not like a mendicant but like a rightful
citizen. An under-dog attitude invites only sympathy that will complement the
ever-needy people with cheap labour which will not be beneficial to the state’s
assets.