At least my observation so far makes me believe this.
They don't need to worry about parking as their vehicles are parked everywhere and anywhere on the roads, they don't bother to queue up for anything as their escorts (policemen) will do the needful for them, they can conveniently use their office cars for taking their families for shopping and not only that, there too they will be escorted by a fleet of at least 20 policemen.
My recent visit to Agra and to Taj Mahal gave a fresh insight to this belief of mine.
It was December 25th. Christmas Day. Obviously, the Taj Mahal was buzzing with people who had come from far away places to see this 17th century wonder of the world. It must be over 500 people (men, women and children from different parts of the globe) who had lined up in two neat rows waiting for their turn to enter the monument.
And mind you, all of them with their official admission tickets (Indians : 20 Rupees and Foreign nationals : 750 Rupees). No one was fretting, no one was pushing, everyone happily making friends with their neighbours in the queue.
Whilst we had been waiting for our turn, I spotted a battery operated vehicle stopping bang in front of the Taj Mahal gate. (These vehicles leave the lesser mortals - people like you and me at least 100 metres before the gate.)
Jumped out of that vehicle a family of 7 or 8. No tickets, no queue, they enter from the passage which serves as exit for the commoners (who have bought tickets to see the monument).
The security people, who had so far been throwing their weight at people standing in the queues, started bowing their heads and were saluting the officer. It was a bureaucrat - an Indian Administrative Officer and his family.
I happened to recognise the officer so went ahead to say hello to him. This officer carries an image of being good and efficient.
Keeping his image in mind I conveyed to him the feeling of injustice that so many people paying and waiting to enter whereas he, without any ticket, gets the privilege to enter without any wait. I expected him to feel at least sheepish of the fact.
But to my surprise, he with a smirk on his face, asked me, `Do you want me to feel guilty of the fact?'' and without waiting for my response, added, ``Don't worry, I will not.''
I was aghast and speechless. The security guards, reading my expressions said, ``Oh, he is on duty.''
On duty, with a family!!! Indeed....
At least he should have bought the ticket for the family and at least the family should have behaved like common responsible citizens.
Anyways...
Next day, we stopped at a shopping mall near Taj Mahal to get some food. Whilst coming out of the Mall I started talking to a few policemen standing outside. In fact, I wanted to ask them if there was any short cut to reach the highway to Lucknow. Suddenly I saw some kind of flurry - all policemen had started running towards the gate.
What I saw now was a fleet of cars with blue beacon on top. It was the senior-most police officer who had come to the shopping mall. The policeman who was talking to me, left his sentence in the middle and ran to salute the boss.
The officer was accompanied by his family.
The boot of the car was carrying his files. A policeman opened the boot and took out a few files which needed urgent attention of the big boss and carried them inside the Mall.
I stood there gaping at the whole drama.
I wondered - these are the people who are running our country. They are the one who are suppose to implement all the laws. They are expected to help the citizens and that is why they are known or referred as public servants.
Once again I was dumbstruck...
I didn't know whether to blame these officers for making a mockery of the system or blame us citizens for letting these officers get away with such irresponsible behaviour.
I stood there motionless for a while... when my daughter pulled me away and said ``let's not spoil our holiday. In fact, you are expecting too much from these officers.''
``Was expecting the officials to behave as decent, responsible, law abiding citizen was actually too much to ask!!!'' I think it is........
11 comments:
etiquettes and and discipline can only be taught by making it mandatory for all Indians to serve in the armed forces for the first 3 years post graduation..... no matter how educated they get.. will not give up being DEHATIS...
very well said.....
i wish someone in the policy making group is listening and is brave enough to introduce this to our system.
Someone is from the British Raj it seems or a Nazi Nationalsozialistische. If given a chance we all will act like this. This is India.
No, there are people in india, who do believe in behaving in a civilised way and prefer not to misuse their post, power or money.....
I want to know what does " state LIKE Uttar Pradesh" means?
Its like more of a report writing which is perpetuated. You wont give an example of the planning commision, R&AW, or the bureauocratic agencies which is driving this country to a better future.
We compare ourselves to the western world, which is too early.
state like Uttar Pradesh means where such things happen so rampantly.
and what you say about report writing - fine - that my style of writing - a journalist cant stop being a reporter - even in his/her blog.
about the good things - look jaideep - good news is no news - they are paid for what they are doing and you cant be praised for carrying out your duties for which the government is paying you through tax payers moneyt.
criticism is necessary for improvement, which i am doing...
comparing with western world! no, i am not comparing with the west - being civil and following certain values can be an attribute to any civil society..western or eastern..
nonetheless, i appreciate your comments!!
Exellent article Alka No where in the world have I seen so many diplomatic cars making their way through the traffic with their little beacon on top showing their importance and hoping others will get out of their way, on their way to what? an important meeting which will help the poor, unlikely or maybe to some lavish lunch with equally well heeled people, more likely. When queue jumping into the Tajh, I wonder if the uniformed official saw the poverty outside the wall of the Tajhor if it affected him or any of his family I doubt it. Again well done Alka I know you will upset some people, mainly those who lead comfortable lifes, but the others in society need someone to speak up for them
I agree with you...Alka
Thank you Peter and thank you Jideep (late but at least you realised).
I am sorry for this delay. Had been neck deep in work and was unwell on top of it... hence this silence...
many issues went without any comment...
anyways, back to grind now !!
looking forward to more such discussions.
Excellent write-up... its an open-secret how bureaucracy in UP, i think in other places too, is behaving.....But...what about journalists taking similar benefits with the help of these bureaucrats and others....can we do something to atleast clean our community (journalists)???? If you have some plans I am with you...Kuch karna chahiye.....
Thats a good idea...
This was also one of the reasons to get away from the routine journalism where everyone thought of treating journos with food and liquor and get them write whatever you want.
But i still don't know how to go with it as most of such journalists are our friends....
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