Beyond the blame game: Need for well meaning and educated Indians to enter electoral process

India's achievements in the first decade of the 21st century leaves a warm after-glow. However, many Indians are prone to playing the blame game. Politicians, bureaucrats, corporate biggies and acedemics including others are good at the blame game. The media targets people who can't hit back.Instead of blaming others and system, all well-meaning citizens should become a part of the electoral politics, writes Jaimini Bhagwati in Business Standard.

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"India’s achievements in the first decade of the 21st century leading up to the 64th anniversary of its Independence on August 15, 2010 leave a warm after-glow in their wake. At the same time, it is apparent from our writings and pronouncements that Indians are prone to playing the blame game. Namely, we tend to look for someone else to blame for our collective failures. "

"Among the accused, politicians complain about the arbitrary manner in which electoral constituencies are redrawn and how caste and other partisan considerations rather than hard work determine their re-election prospects. Civil servants are forever complaining about arbitrary transfers and postings which have little to do with their competence and are motivated by nepotism and on and on. Corporate biggies and their acolytes protest loudly against any vestige of “command and control” and “licence and permit raj”, and also protest when there is a push towards enhancing domestic and particularly global competition. Academics justifiably complain that they are poorly paid. "

"The media’s favourite whipping boys are the softer targets who cannot hit back. "

"Who is a representative and average Indian: the hard-working landless farmer or tribal who may be illiterate and insecure about the future; an outraged English-medium television programme moderator who is shrill on demand; perpetrators of the so-called honour killings; the new strains of mining mafia dons who also double as political leaders; those who murder people or destroy property in the name of religion; the educated and dedicated professionals who work diligently and honestly; the obviously corrupt public officials living extravagantly; or the acquiescing politicians or civil servants who are personally scrupulously honest? "

"It is unfortunate that after more than 60 years of Independence, the level of responsibility among some of our elected representatives seems to be lower. Maybe this was inevitable since the leaders at the time of Independence were from a self-selected group and could relate better to each other through the bonds formed during the freedom struggle. Has self-esteem among our educated, professional and political classes become brittle, aggravated by caste, income and other factors, making it difficult for us to function well as teams?"

"To summarise, if we want to progress faster towards meritocracy with social justice, there is no alternative to a wider cross-section of Indians, including the educated and well-meaning, participating directly and personally in electoral politics. Alternatively, we are likely to periodically hear from columnists about how “Nehruvian policies” continue to be at the root of our current difficulties (Jawaharlal Nehru passed away on May 27, 1964, more than 46 years ago)."

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