Easier Said Than Done
Brig Ian da Costa
We have been hearing people of all kinds and descriptions who considers themselves leaders of the community and the people, telling the authorities how to run the country. The former Chief Justice of India, Justice JC Verma has done a good job of submitting his report on rape within the time stipulated. In the process, he has set an example and blazed a trail which others can follow. But I was surprised to hear him say, “If Verma can do it, then why not Manmohan?” He forgot perhaps that it is very easy to lecture to others, but it is not that easy to do the same on the ground. The theme of this article will remind us that it is easier said than done. Besides, it is the easiest thing doing something alone, because you have to only convince yourself. Doing a job in a small group is also easy, because you have to convince only two other people who were chosen for the same job because of their character, intellect, patriotism and honesty. The Prime Minister has to lead 1.3 billion people many of whom are of doubtful character, illiterate, a large number are dishonest and unreliable. There is so much diversity of caste, community, level of education, religion and region in our vast country India, that this sub continent, could very easily have been divided into several countries.
There are countries such as the USA, Canada, China and Australia which have vast land areas and natural resources, diverse communities and religions, but they are strongly nationalistic. They are always first Americans, Canadians or Australians every time and then only come their communities, religion and other divisions. Except for the Chinese, we easily outdo the rest in numbers. They are more patriotic in spite of coming from various countries of Europe, Asia and Africa. This cannot be said of India today. Most Indians place themselves before their country. Though ‘Service before Self’ is the motto that we should follow.
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Our politics are dirty games and most of our politicians are of very doubtful character. Greed for money and property can be clearly seen to be their main occupation. The people and the country seldom come first in their list of priorities. Just recently we had the LOC incident of two army jawans being ambushed and killed in our territory in the Mendhar Sector of Jammu and Kashmir and one was beheaded. This led to tension in the nation and the army itself wanted and needed support to strike back. Our politicians instead of bonding together and presenting a united front, were calling one another names and playing the blame game. This was a war-like situation and what a poor response it was to Pakistan.
The two most important things which have brought our nation to the brink of collapse, are, firstly the bribery and corruption indulged by a majority of the politicians, bureaucrats and the police. Second is the non administration of the laws by the Judiciary and quasi–judicial agencies. This in turn has given rise to inflation, high prices and an enormous amount of black money by the ton. We all blame the government, but we elect the MLA’s and parliamentarians. Let the voting percentage be 90% and above and let us vote with a clean conscience. Then the right persons will be elected. It is said that bad governments are elected by good citizens who do not vote, but only curse and grumble from their balcaoes.
I would like to ask Justice Verma why there is so much delay in the dispensation of justice. Justice delayed is justice denied they rightly say. Judges postpone cases when they should be disposing of them. He was Chief Justice of India, what did he do to improve this torrid situation? Cases keep piling up, because earlier cases are not being disposed off, while new ones are constantly added to this grand total. Then the judicial department demands more judges to be appointed. The politicians, bureaucrats and media do not say a word for fear of committing contempt of court. The armed forces have all the weapons and equipment to kill and cause destruction, but no one fears them. They have a history of good discipline and good behavior to back them. In fact in advanced countries only people who have a good military background are usually appointed as defence ministers. We have many retired generals, admirals and air chief marshals and also had two field marshals and one living marshal of the air, who could make excellent defence ministers, but politicians keep military men out of the government. They perhaps fear that they may launch a coup and hence do not trust them.
Until we realize our mistakes and correct them, we are likely to sink deeper into the muck and mire to the detriment of our great nation. Who will be to blame for this disaster? You can guess and point the finger in the right direction. Jai Hind.
