The lofty ideals of our Constitution have not yet affected political leaders, Government officials, and those seated at the head-table.
GERRY LOBO OFM
While on a journey towards my destination, the other day, on a Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation bus, my fellow passenger,
a woman, was asked by the conductor
for any proof of her identity in order to confirm the ticket she had purchased on- line. She had a copy of her Aadhar Card to present. However, because that Card was issued in Andhra Pradesh, the conductor said he required Karnataka State Aadhar Card as she was on the Karnataka State RTC bus without which she might not proceed. Instantly an elderly gentleman and I, both hailing from Karnataka, reacted strongly to the conductor on his refusal
to accept the woman’s identity proof. The conductor, of course, defended himself based on the orders he had received from the RTC department, which might be true. When a few more voiced out loudly their objections with anger, the woman was permitted to travel on. The unanimous voice that protested had only one thing
to state, namely, that the Aadhar Card
is a national provision provided to the citizens, irrespective of which state one belonged to, for obtaining benefits from the government or for any other eventualities as proof. If it is permitted as one’s proof in any government offices within the country, though not understood as National Identity Card as found in other countries, why should any officer be concerned about the State in which the Card is issued? Here is one incident, a case, and the government officials have not clearly issued particulars about the Aadhar and the usage of it, thus putting thousands of our citizens into difficulty, anxiety and fear even after several years of the existence of it.
The Government projects are but grandiose dreams channeled into the pipelines! If they are executed, they are confounding and fumbling; lip services, nothing more. The people, the beneficiaries, down the lane, allured by the mighty promises sadly land up in sleepless nights, dreary risks and go through fearful days. In order to obtain the benefits, supposedly
in favour of the needy, experience nightmare and hazardous journeys, lining up for hours hoping to arrive at their turn with open hands, but finally only to end up in frustration. Not
to miss a promised goodie from the political Santa Clauses, the needy stomachs rough it out immeasurably and patiently. Recently a villager recounted his awful saga of standing in the
long queue for about nine hours in order to get his name registered for obtaining Aadhar Card which was supposed to be required for linking with the Voter’s Identity Card. There was no clear announcement in the News papers, but word passed on from one ear to another brought fear into this villager. The outcome of all his strain and struggle, finally, was only to hear
that the Government has not clearly stated. The government agencies by sounding unfounded announcements into the ears of the ordinary thus create fear and insecurity. The common man and the woman of our nation suffer the irrational orders of government officials. After all, in our country, only he or she down the street know clearly well the brunt of burning themselves on every day basis in the fire stoked by the privileged personalities reigning from above.
In a certain State of our Union the incumbent Government announces on a daily basis spectacular economic projects to which the ordinary mass of people, who presumably voted in the government, fall for them only to realize a little later that these are but death traps laid for the innocent and the distressed, and suffer graver injustice and ignominy. These bogey attractions having functioned for a time during which the spirits of the ignorant soar high hoping that the day of their prosperous future is here. On wooing the voters with these incriminating promises, the popularity of the political clout rises, but the voters die a sad death – the farmer commits suicide, a mother runs into debt from which she is unable to
be freed, the school going child refrains from frequenting the school because she is unable
to pay the fees. The socio-economic welfare measures which are easily announced on the front pages of the prominent News papers simply fall short of the real welfare measure
the human beings need – human development comprising an environment of understanding, mutual trust and peaceful co-existence. However, those who benefit from these economic measures are those who are already mired in wealth and who have a soothing sail and a sumptuous ethereal prosperity. Robbing Peter to pay Paul has become a common, every-day exigency. Human development, for that matter even the economic development, remains only a dream, causing poverty and marginalization as near normal for a large portion of the population. This goes unseen
and unheard of, untouched and un-attended
to. To the leaders at the helm of affairs, their conscience hardly pricks; of course, a dead conscience feels no prick! Indeed, this is a sorry state of affairs prevailing in our country beneath the coloured clothing of the spectacular glamour, only to silence feeble minds, illiterate hands and the dusty feet!
The two-year Covid pandemic with its horrendous appearance and cruel charge on humanity had destabilized millions without mercy. People, gripped by fear, uncertainty of the morrow, struggled hard to see themselves and their loved ones alive. As if for the first time in human history, people of flesh and blood were brought to their knees making them realize the utter futility of anything that exists on this planet and acknowledge deep within their self that one is insecure, vulnerable and mere mortal. Having gradually passed from the Covid anxiety and hopelessness, and when one is just trying to stand erect and get on with the daily life, a compassionate approach in the relational dynamics in our society is what is most required. The establishment of a more humane form of governance, an attentive and watchful kind of administration, free and fair treatment rendered to every citizen is all that is wanting today. The public space both in terms of airing ones views as well as the spatial-temporal area need to be a meeting of humans, a convergence through conversation,
a parliament of voicing concerns which affect everyone. This will eliminate impersonalism, anonymity and a feeling of being a stranger in a strange land. The voters exercise their privilege of franchise not only to derive welfare measures but also to live in a society in which equality, liberty and fraternity are potently manifested through words, deeds and the enactment of wise laws that protect every citizen.
To brag about the lofty ideals enshrined in the Constitution of our Nation is one thing;
to dedicate oneself to those ideals in manner
in which one treats another human person is another thing. There seems to be a deficiency in the culture of kindness, equity and fairness in the way national leaders and their bureaucracy function today. The citizens must be placed before all because it is they who are the Nation. The irony is that communications may bring people together, as it supposed to have done, but there can be no Nation where the neighbor is not counted as worthy in himself or herself.
The culture of elimination and exclusion has emerged in the world of easy communication in all sectors of life today, particularly in our country, and come to be considered as normal. Politics is to be people oriented system in which not only the economic well-being be the primordial end but with it, on equal terms, enable peaceful co-existence and harmony among the multi-faceted religions. Today the opposite is true. Politics has developed its own culture of empire building by usurping rights for oneself and extending one’s power over people silencing their legitimate voices. The bureaucrats serving the Government execute policies without bending down to supervise at the grass root level how these policies are
in place and to see how a beneficiary benefits from what is offered. Go where you want, one often witnesses harassment from these officers or those who are subordinate to them. The wound inflicted emotionally or psychologically by those in authority is never accounted for. It was painful to look at the face of that woman on the bus journey I mentioned above when her Aadhar card copy was not accepted just because it was issued in another State. The picture one gets at large as one traverses through the country we live in is that the other hardly counts and is normally tossed about as a play toy. The lofty ideals of our Constitution have not yet affected political leaders, government officials and those seated at the head-table. Perhaps the New Year 2023 could be a time for greater introspection on the part of all. Humanity cannot blind itself towards humanity. While continuing with welfare schemes meant for the people of a Nation in need, the announcers and executors of these must withdraw their avaricious consciences and itchy hands lest the wealth of a nation is not robbed off and the goodness of the earth is not depleted.
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